The human body has an elaborate system (the immune system) for defending itself against infections. Outside of the hospital, a person is exposed to innumerable pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.). Provided you have a normal immune system, your body fends off these pathogens on a daily basis.

Inside the hospital, however, sick patients have weakened immune systems and the various barriers to infection are oftentimes compromised, making patients more prone to infections. Complicating matters, the organisms found in the hospital environment are often resistant to antibiotics, making eliminating these infections much more difficult.

Some of the most common infections encountered in the Neurosurgery ICU include pneumonia, sepsis, wound infections, and meningitis.