What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Viral Meningitis?
Meningitis occurs when the spinal cord fluid and the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed due to an infection. Bacterial meningitis is the most severe form of the disease and can result in brain damage, hearing loss or death. Viral meningitis is less severe and usually improves without treatment.
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Common Symptoms
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The first symptoms of viral meningitis are very similar to the flu, making it difficult to detect the disease in the earliest stages. If you have viral meningitis, you may develop a high fever, accompanied by a severe headache and a stiff neck. The headache may be so bad that you become nauseated or vomit. You may be very sleepy and have trouble waking up, and may not feel hungry or thirsty. Difficulty concentrating may occur and you may be particularly sensitive to light. In some people, a rash develops. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these symptoms may develop over a few hours or may take one to two days to appear. Symptoms usually occur three to seven days after you have been exposed to the virus.
Symptoms in Infants
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Obviously infants can't tell you if they have a headache or stiff neck, but you may notice irritability, lethargy, vomiting, sleepiness or constant crying, even when the baby is picked up and comforted. A bulge may develop in the baby's soft spot on the top of the head. You may notice that your baby's neck and body seem stiff if she has meningitis.
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Diagnosis
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There is no way to tell if meningitis is viral or the more dangerous bacterial form without seeing a doctor and undergoing one or more tests. A spinal tap, or lumbar puncture, is the definitive way to diagnose meningitis. During a spinal tap, a needle is passed through the lower back into the spinal canal. A sample of spinal fluid is withdrawn from the canal and sent to a laboratory for analysis. If you have meningitis, the spinal fluid sample may show increased counts of white blood cells and protein, and a low glucose level. Other tests that your doctor may recommend include X-rays or computerized tomography (CAT) scans of the skull, sinuses or chest to look for inflammation and swelling, and a throat culture to determine if bacteria are present in the throat.
Causes
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According to the CDC, 90 percent of viral meningitis cases are caused by enteroviruses, including the echovirus and coxsackie virus. The mumps and herpes viruses can also cause the viral form of meningitis. Enteroviruses are spread through direct contact with the nasal mucus, sputum or saliva of an infected person, making it important to wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. The virus can also be transmitted through contact with the stool of an infected person. Failing to wash your hands after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper can result in the spread of the virus. Enteroviruses usually occur in the spring or fall and cause mild symptoms in most people affected. If you catch an enterovirus, you may develop a cold or have a low fever or rash. Only a small number of people infected with the virus develop viral meningitis.
Treatment
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Drinking fluids, getting plenty of rest and taking over-the-counter medications for fever and aches is the prescribed course of treatment for viral meningitis. Recovery usually takes one to two weeks. If viral meningitis is caused by the herpes virus, an antiviral medication used in treating herpes may be prescribed.
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