The spinal cord and its surrounding structures can become infected by bacteria or fungal organisms. Risk factors that can make you more susceptible to these infections include older age, smoking, obesity, malnutrition, weakened immune system, infection with HIV virus, diabetes and cancer.
The most common types of spine infections are discitis, osteomyelitis, and an epidural abscess. Osteomyelitis refers to an infection of the vertebral bone of the spinal column and is caused by Staphylococcus Aureus, or other bacteria or fungus. Discitis is an infection of the disc between two vertebrae. Epidural abscess is a collection of pus between the dura, the membrane that covers the spinal cord and nerve root.
When you have infection in your spine you may feel ill and have a fever with chills, headache, stiff neck, back pain, redness and tenderness around the wound, and possibly drainage from the wound. You may also develop numbness and weakness in the extremities.