Infection of the spinal column is a very broad topic and includes those diseases that arise spontaneously and those that are secondary to some inflamed event. True infections are uncommon, particularly in the industrialised countries of the world. Although rare, diseases such as tuberculosis of the spine should be considered with spinal infections. TB is more common in under developed countries. The major types of spine infection are: spinal epidural abscess, vertebral osteomyelitis, discitis and post operative wound infections. The symptoms vary with the particular condition, but constant back pain is typical. Spinal Epidural Abscess is an infection that forms in the space between the dura (the outer membrane covering the brain and spinal cord) and the bones of the spine. Pus is formed by a collection of fluid, destroyed tissue cells, white blood cells, and live and dead micro-organisms. The pus becomes enclosed by a membrane that forms at the edges of the fluid collection. There is inflammation of the tissues around the abscess in response to the infection. General symptoms such as fever are usually present as a result of the infection. An epidural abscess is a fairly rare disorder. It is even less common now because of the use of effective antibiotics to treat infections in the body. Vertebral Osteomyelitis is infection of the vertebral body itself. Although bacterial infections are the most common, fungal and viral infections may be seen. Its presentation is different than a disc space infection. It may represent infection elsewhere in the body that has seeded in the spine through the blood stream. The most common symptoms are fever, back pain, weight loss and radiating pain. From onset of symptoms to a definite diagnosis may take several weeks or months. Discitis or disc space infection, is an inflammatory lesion of the intervertebral disc that occurs in adults, but more commonly in children. Its cause is subject to much debate, although most physicians believe it to be infectious. The infection may begin in one of the end plates, and the disc is infected secondarily. Infants and young children with this condition may refuse to walk or stand and experience a mild fever and back pain. Post Operative Wound Infections The incidence of post-operative spinal infections increases with the complexity of the surgical procedure. Infection is a major disadvantage of implanting foreign bodies in the spine. The use of antibiotics helps but a small percentage cannot be avoided. A simple discectomy is associated with less than a 1% risk of infection; spinal fusion without instrumentation is associated with a 1%-5% risk; and fusion with instrumentation may be associated with a risk of 6% or more.