Infection
Intervention3 papers3 findings
- Humans2
- In silico1
Outcomes
2Executive function
downin humans1Low certainty
1 study
Executive function
downin humans1Low certainty
Infection impairs executive function in humans (β = -0.19, 95% CI -0.28 to -0.09).
Humansprior hospitalisation for any infection1997 to 2018n = 1,159
Severe infections and poor cognition link bidirectionally · Brain, behavior, & immunity - health · 20 Sep 2026
General cognition
downin humans1Low certainty
1 study
General cognition
downin humans1Low certainty
Infection impairs general cognition in humans (β = -0.11 SD, 95% CI -0.21 to -0.02).
Humansprior hospitalisation for any infection1997 to 2018n = 1,159
Severe infections and poor cognition link bidirectionally · Brain, behavior, & immunity - health · 20 Sep 2026
Associations
1Cancer
upin humans1Low certainty
1 study
Cancer
upin humans1Low certainty
Infection raises the risk of cancer in humans (2·3 million (12% of all cancer cases)).
Humans
Global burden of cancer attributable to infections in 2024: a worldwide incidence analysis · The Lancet. Oncology · 29 Sep 2026
Latest
3Severe infections and poor cognition link bidirectionally
Prior hospital-treated infection linked to lower general cognition (β = -0.11 SD), while each 1-SD higher cognitive score predicted a 36% lower risk…Prior hospital-treated infection linked to lower general cognition (β = -0.11 SD), while each 1-SD higher cognitive score predicted a 36% lower risk of future infection.