Viral Meningitis
Also known as: Aseptic Meningitis
What is it?
Viral meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges, that is caused by a virus. Viral meningitis may also be called aseptic meningitis.
Who gets it?
Viral meningitis is more common in very young children, under the age of five, but can also affect adults.
What causes it?
Viral meningitis can be caused by a direct viral infection or can result from another viral infection, such as mumps and measles, the flu, the herpes simplex virus, the chicken pox virus, and the rabies virus, as well as a number of viruses that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Most cases of viral meningitis are caused by members of a group of viruses known as enteroviruses. The virus that causes meningitis is contagious, meaning it can be passed from one person to another through contact with the saliva, mucus, or stool of the infected person. People with viral meningitis are contagious anywhere from two days to two weeks, depending upon the type of virus that causes the infection.
What are the symptoms?
Early symptoms of viral meningitis are flu-like and include sudden high fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, and stiff neck. The neck is so stiff that the patient cannot lower the chin to the chest. The patient may be confused or difficult to wake.
How is it diagnosed?
Because viral meningitis has symptoms in common with bacterial meningitis, which is life-threatening, it's important to get an immediate diagnosis. Your doctor will evaluate your or your child's symptoms, looking for specific signs such as the combination of fever, headache, and stiff neck. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will need to do a lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, to withdraw some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and check for a viral infection. Before the fluid is withdrawn, an area in the lower back is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, a long, hollow needle is inserted into the spinal canal to withdraw the fluid. If the symptoms are caused by a virus, the fluid will have a high number of white blood cells. The fluid will also be examined under a microscope and sent to a laboratory where it will be grown (cultured) in case a bacteria is present.
What is the treatment?
Viral meningitis can usually be treated at home, with full recovery anywhere from two days to two weeks. While there are no medications that cure viral meningitis, you can relieve discomfort with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your doctor will also recommend bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Because viral meningitis is contagious, patients should not resume normal activities until they have approval from their doctor.
Self-care tips
Seek medical treatment for yourself or your child as soon as you observe any symptoms of meningitis, especially high fever combined with headache, lethargy, and stiff neck. If you or your child has viral meningitis, you should wash your hands frequently to avoid passing the infection on to others. Do not share food or eating utensils, and avoid contact with bodily fluids, such as saliva.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
Also known as: Aseptic Meningitis
What is it?
Viral meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges, that is caused by a virus. Viral meningitis may also be called aseptic meningitis.
Who gets it?
Viral meningitis is more common in very young children, under the age of five, but can also affect adults.
What causes it?
Viral meningitis can be caused by a direct viral infection or can result from another viral infection, such as mumps and measles, the flu, the herpes simplex virus, the chicken pox virus, and the rabies virus, as well as a number of viruses that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Most cases of viral meningitis are caused by members of a group of viruses known as enteroviruses. The virus that causes meningitis is contagious, meaning it can be passed from one person to another through contact with the saliva, mucus, or stool of the infected person. People with viral meningitis are contagious anywhere from two days to two weeks, depending upon the type of virus that causes the infection.
What are the symptoms?
Early symptoms of viral meningitis are flu-like and include sudden high fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, and stiff neck. The neck is so stiff that the patient cannot lower the chin to the chest. The patient may be confused or difficult to wake.
How is it diagnosed?
Because viral meningitis has symptoms in common with bacterial meningitis, which is life-threatening, it's important to get an immediate diagnosis. Your doctor will evaluate your or your child's symptoms, looking for specific signs such as the combination of fever, headache, and stiff neck. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will need to do a lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, to withdraw some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and check for a viral infection. Before the fluid is withdrawn, an area in the lower back is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, a long, hollow needle is inserted into the spinal canal to withdraw the fluid. If the symptoms are caused by a virus, the fluid will have a high number of white blood cells. The fluid will also be examined under a microscope and sent to a laboratory where it will be grown (cultured) in case a bacteria is present.
What is the treatment?
Viral meningitis can usually be treated at home, with full recovery anywhere from two days to two weeks. While there are no medications that cure viral meningitis, you can relieve discomfort with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your doctor will also recommend bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Because viral meningitis is contagious, patients should not resume normal activities until they have approval from their doctor.
Self-care tips
Seek medical treatment for yourself or your child as soon as you observe any symptoms of meningitis, especially high fever combined with headache, lethargy, and stiff neck. If you or your child has viral meningitis, you should wash your hands frequently to avoid passing the infection on to others. Do not share food or eating utensils, and avoid contact with bodily fluids, such as saliva.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
0 Responses to Viral Meningitis