What
is viral meningitis?
Viral meningitis
is an infection of the meninges (a thin lining covering the
brain and spinal cord) by any one of a number of different viruses.
It is a fairly common disease. Almost all of the cases occur
as single, isolated events. Outbreaks are rare.
Who gets viral meningitis?
Anyone can get viral meningitis but it occurs
most often in children.
Which viruses cause this form of meningitis?
Approximately half of the cases in the United
States are due to common entero (intestinal) viruses. Occasionally,
children will have viral meningitis associated with mumps or
herpes virus infection. Mosquito-borne viruses also account
for a few cases each year. In many cases, the specific virus
cannot be identified.
How are the viruses that cause viral
meningitis spread?
Because a number of different viruses are capable
of causing viral meningitis, the manner in which the virus is
spread depends upon the type of virus involved. Some are spread
by person-to-person contact; others can be spread by insects.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms may include fever, headache, stiff
neck and fatigue. Rash, sore throat and intestinal symptoms
may also occur.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms generally appear within one week of
exposure.
Is a person with viral meningitis contagious?
Some of the enteroviruses that cause viral
meningitis are contagious while others, such as mosquito-borne
viruses, cannot be spread from person to person. Fortunately,
most people exposed to these viruses experience mild or no symptoms.
Most people are exposed to these viruses at some time in their
lives, but few actually develop meningitis.
Should a person with viral meningitis
be isolated?
Strict isolation is not necessary. Since most
cases are due to enteroviruses that may be passed in the stool,
people diagnosed with viral meningitis should be instructed
to thoroughly wash their hands after using the toilet.
How is viral meningitis treated?
There are no specific medicines or antibiotics
used to treat viral meningitis.
Where
can I get more information?
- Your
personal doctor
- Your
local health department, listed in your telephone directory
- The
Utah Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology (801)
538-6191
UTAH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
OFFICE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
July 2003
