Aseptic meningitis
Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord without a bacterial pathogen.
- Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
- It is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and most people get better on their own (without treatment).
Causes[edit | edit source]
Non-polio enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis in the United States, especially from late spring to fall. Only a small number of people infected with enteroviruses will actually develop meningitis.
Viral causes include:
- Other viruses that can cause meningitis are
- Mumps virus
- Herpesviruses, including Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex viruses, and varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles)
- Measles virus
- Influenza virus
- Arboviruses, such as West Nile virus
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
There are multiple types of aseptic meningitis which are differentiated based on its cause.
Atypical Bacteria
- Lyme disease
- Syphilis
- Leptospirosis
Fungi
- Cryptococcal infection
- Coccidioidal infection
Drug-induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM)
Autoimmune diseases
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Cancer-caused aseptic meningitis such as neoplastic meningitis
- Neurosarcoidosis
People at Risk[edit | edit source]
- 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.
Transmission[edit | edit source]
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 actually develop viral meningitis. Viruses that can cause meningitis include:
- Non-polio enteroviruses
- Mumps virus
- Herpesviruses, including Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex viruses, and varicella-zoster virus
- Measles virus
- Influenza virus
- Arboviruses, like West Nile virus
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
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
- Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy (a lack of energy)
Course[edit | edit source]
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.
Complications[edit | edit source]
- Rare complications include 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.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Meningitis is diagnosed by ordering specific lab tests on specimens from a person suspected of having meningitis. Samples are collected by:
- Swabbing your nose or throat
- Obtaining a stool sample
- Taking some blood
- Lumbar puncture
Treatment[edit | edit source]
- 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.
- People who develop severe illness, or are at risk for developing severe illness may need care in a hospital.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
There are no vaccines to protect against non-polio enteroviruses, which are the most common cause of viral meningitis.
Some preventive measures include:
- 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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