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Viral Meningitis | CDC

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Viral meningitis (when meningitis is caused by a virus) is the most common type of meningitis. Most people get better on their own without treatment. However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because any type of meningitis can be serious. Only a doctor can determine if someone has meningitis, what is causing it, and the best treatment. Babies younger than 1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness from viral meningitis.

Causes

Non-polio enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis in the United States. Only a small number of people infected with enteroviruses will develop meningitis.

Other viruses that can cause meningitis are

People at Risk

People of any age can get viral meningitis. However, some people have a higher risk of getting the disease, including:

Children younger than 5 years old

People with weakened immune systems caused by diseases, medications (such as chemotherapy), and recent organ or bone marrow transplantations

Babies younger than 1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are also more likely to have severe illness.

How It Spreads

Close contacts of someone with viral meningitis can become infected with the virus that made that person sick. However, these close contacts are not likely to develop meningitis. Only a small number of people who get infected with the viruses that cause meningitis will develop viral meningitis.

Viruses that can cause meningitis spread in different ways. Learn more about how the following viruses spread by visiting CDC's websites:

Symptoms

Common symptoms in babies

Fever

Irritability

Poor eating

Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep

Lethargy (a lack of energy)

Common symptoms in children and adults

Fever

Headache

Stiff neck

Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)

Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep

Nausea

Irritability

Vomiting

Lack of appetite

Lethargy (a lack of energy)

Most people with mild viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10 days.

Initial symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those for bacterial meningitis. However, bacterial meningitis is usually severe and can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities. The pathogens (germs) that cause bacterial meningitis can also be associated with another serious illness, sepsis. Sepsis is the body's extreme response to infection. Without timely treatment, sepsis can quickly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

See a doctor right away if you think you or your child might have meningitis. A doctor can determine if you have the disease, what is causing it, and the best treatment.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose meningitis by ordering specific lab tests on specimens from a person suspected of having meningitis. If a doctor suspects meningitis, he or she may collect samples for testing by

Swabbing your nose or throat

Obtaining a stool sample

Taking some blood

Drawing fluid from around your spinal cord

Treatment

In most cases, there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Most people who get mild viral meningitis usually recover completely in 7 to 10 days without treatment. Antiviral medicine may help people with meningitis caused by viruses such as herpesvirus and influenza.

Antibiotics do not help viral infections, so they are not useful in the treatment of viral meningitis. However, antibiotics do fight bacteria, so they are very important when treating bacterial meningitis.

People who develop severe illness, or are at risk for developing severe illness, may need care in a hospital.

Prevention

There are no vaccines available in the United States to protect against non-polio enteroviruses, which are the most common cause of viral meningitis. The best way to help protect yourself and others from non-polio enterovirus infections is to

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers or using the toilet

Avoid close contact, such as touching and shaking hands, with people who are sick

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

Stay home when you are sick and keep sick children out of school

Vaccines can protect against some diseases, such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, and influenza, which can lead to viral meningitis. Make sure you and your child are vaccinated on schedule.

Avoid bites from mosquitoes and other insects that carry diseases that can infect humans.

Control mice and rats. If you have a rodent in or around your home, follow appropriate cleaning and control precautions.

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Viral meningitis (when meningitis is caused by a virus) is the most common type of meningitis. Most people get better on their own without treatment. However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because any type of meningitis can be serious.

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Non-polio enteroviruses

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In a study of patients expected to have meningitis in the UK, 57% of them had meningitis. 36% of those were viral meningitis, 16% were bacterial meningitis, 42% had an unknown cause, and 6% had other causes.
Study: Incidence, aetiology, and sequelae of viral meningitis in UK adults: a multicentre prospective observational cohort study - PubMed (nih.gov)

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Section head of research and associate professor of infectious diseases, Qatar University
CURRICULUM VITAE (qu.edu.qa)

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https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b3/66/77/b36677aa8d0f63472d85d84ccb4a0eb2.jpg

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- Swabbing the nose or throat
- Collecting a stool sample
- Taking blood
- Drawing fluid from around the spinal cord (spinal tap)
Viral Meningitis | CDC

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- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
More: Viral Meningitis | CDC

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viral meningitis - Patient Education Video

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Viral meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, caused by a non-polio enterovirus. Children younger than 5 or those with weakened immune systems are most likely to get viral meningitis. It can also be transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes in some parts of the world. Enteroviruses are in the feces, mucus, and saliva of infected people, and are transmitted through direct contact with these fluids.
More: Viral Meningitis: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention | Everyday Health

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- In most cases, there is no specific treatment and patients with mild symptoms
recover in 7-10 days
- Antibiotics don't fight against viruses, so they are no help in the treatment of viral meningitis, but could help treat bacterial meningitis
PREVENTION:
- Wash your hands often especially after coming into contact with other's bodily fluids
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick
- Clean/disinfect frequently used surfaces
Viral Meningitis | CDC