Diseases which can cause viral meningitis or encephalitis include mumps, measles and polio. Viral meningitis in usually diagnosed by laboratory test of spinal fluid obtained with a spinal tap. This includes rest, fluids, and feverreducing medicine. This article highlights the viral meningitis symptoms and treatment. This type of meningitis is usually less severe than other types. Persons who have had contact with an individual with viral meningitis do not require any treatment. Feb 03, 2020 viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in saliva, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements. Noninfectious etiologies include reactions to sulfa, nsaids and certain cancer therapies. Medical management of viral meningitis consists of supportive treatment and there is.
A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. Feb 03, 2020 viral meningitis is also called aseptic meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria neisseria meningitidis, and causes a more severe disease that requires prompt treatment of the patient with antibiotics. Viral meningitis in children what you need to know. Viral meningitis also called aseptic meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. No specific treatment recommended for viral meningitis exists at this time. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
Viral meningitis is caused due to the inflammation of the delicate membranes that protect the meninges. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Given the lack of specificity of clinical findings, the key to the diagnosis of meningitis is the evaluation of csf. Most people with viral meningitis recover on their own within 710 days. Geography is a major determinant of encephalitis caused by vectorborne pathogens. In 2008, 23 of in states laboratory confirmed cases of aseptic meningitis were caused by different serotypes of enterovirus.
Viral meningitis is usually not as severe as bacterial meningitis, except in cases where the virus has also caused inflammation of the brain encephalitis. Antibiotics do not help viral infections, so they are not useful in the treatment of viral meningitis. Physicians often recommend rest, plenty of fluids, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs to relieve fever and headache. The organized approach to the patient with suspected meningitis enables the prompt administration of. Rapid viral pcr or culture can quickly identify the virus if present in the csf.
Viral meningitis is a virusborne inflammation of the meninges, which are the. Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cordalso called the meninges. Mollaret meningitis genetic and rare diseases information. Pending results of csf cultures and virologic studies, the results of the initial evaluation can be used to make a provisional diagnosis of bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, or unclear etiology. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis. It is estimated that viral encephalitis occurs at a rate of 1.
It is important to know the specific cause of meningitis because the treatment differs depending on the cause. Finland, the annual incidence of presumed viral meningitis was 219 per 00 in infants under 1 year and 27. Enteroviruses may also be shed in respiratory secretions, usually for no longer than 1 week following symptoms. Viral meningitis viral meningitis is usually much less severe than bacterial meningitis, except in cases where the virus has also caused inflammation of the brain encephalitis as well as meningitis.
There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Table 1 lists the causes of viral meningitis by frequency. It is important that treatment be started as soon as possible. Clinical manifestations and relevant environmental and personal information the diagnosis of viral encephalitis is suspected in the context of a febrile disease accompanied by headache.
Usually there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis, but in some instances specific treatment is available depending on the virus causing the inflammation. Most cases of recurrent viral meningitis are caused by hsv2. Viral meningitis symptoms and treatment health hearty. Meningitis can be caused by many different germs including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Most causes of viral meningitis run a short, uneventful course. Vaccines can protect you from the most common bacteria that cause meningitis, and from.
Viral meningitis is diagnosed using laboratory tests e. You may also get a type of viral meningitis if you are. Enteroviruses may be shed in feces for several days to many weeks after symptoms have resolved. Cases of aseptic meningitis are much less severe and are usually managed through supportive therapy. Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. Your child may also get a type of viral meningitis if he is bitten by a mosquito that carries the west nile virus. These types of infections can rapidly worsen, but they can improve with treatment. Pam is difficult to diagnose because of the rarity of the infection and the nonspecific early symptoms. Bacterial meningitis requires close monitoring in the hospital. Jan 25, 2019 mollaret meningitis is a type of meningitis due to a viral infection aseptic meningitis that occurs multiple times. Some of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis include neisseria meningitidis, streptococcus pneumoniae, haemophilus influenzae. Meningitis viral meningitis should be excluded from. Its typically mild and goes away without treatment.
How to treat and prevent meningitis everyday health. The early symptoms of pam are similar to other more common illnesses, such as bacterial or viral meningitis. In general, there are no medications to fight the germs that cause viral meningitis, so treatment is usually aimed at easing the symptoms. Because there is no clinical differentiation between bacterial and viral meningitis, people with suspected disease should be sent to the hospital for further evaluation. Septic a bacterial infection of the meninges is often referred to as septic meningitis, and sometimes a fungal infection may be referred to as septic as well. Because viruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis, the terms aseptic meningitis and viral meningitis are sometimes used synonymously. Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the protective membrane around the brain and spinal cord. The virus is spread from an infected person to another through coughing, kissing, or sharing food or drinks. Rest, hydration, antipyretics, and pain or antiinflammatory medications may be given as needed. Viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in sputum spit, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements. Viral meningitis is the most common and less severe form of meningitis that is also known as aseptic meningitis. Diseases and conditions information for parents meningitis what are the causes of meningitis. Aseptic meningitis has a number of infectious and noninfectious causes.
It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membrane covering the brain. Some of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis include neisseria meningitidis, streptococcus. Most people with viral meningitis usually get better within 7 to 10 days. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral infections. Viruses usually enteroviruses are the most common cause.
Only a doctor can determine if you or your child has this disease, if it is caused by a virus or bacteria, and the best treatment. Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord that can be caused by several different types of, as well as viruses and fungibacteria. Jan 05, 2008 viral meningitis is a notifiable disease in england and wales, but many cases undoubtedly go unreported. The immense majority of meningitis is produced by viral or bacterial infections viral meningitis. It resolves without any particular treatment within 7 to 10 days. It can be treated with appropriate antibiotics that also prevents spread. Diseases and conditions information for parents meningitis. A diagnosis of viral encephalitis could be a challenge to the clinician, since almost 70% of viral encephalitis cases are left without an etiologic agent identified. Many different viruses can cause meningitis mostly during the summer and fall months. Clinical features and diagnosis in children, section on diagnosis. Hsv1 typically causes encephalitis rather than meningitis. Most patients recover completely on their own, and doctors often will recommend bed rest, plenty of fluids, and medicine to relieve. However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because some types of meningitis can be. In the united states, there are between 25,000 and 50,000 hospitalizations due to viral meningitis each year.
Aseptic meningitis can be caused by multiple conditions including viral, fungal or parasite infections. Treatment for viral meningitis is generally supportive. It is caused by virus, bacteria, as well as other microorganisms. Most cases of viral meningitis run a short, uneventful course. Diseases which can cause viral meningitis or encephalitis include measles, mumps and polio. This means that there is no specific cure for the infection and that patients are only administered medications that take care and reduce intensity of symptoms and signs of the inflammation. Rare causes of viral meningitis include influenza, parainfluenza, rotavirus, vaccinia, and encephalomyocarditis virus. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is caused by an infection with one of several types of viruses.
Most cases of acute meningitis are infectious and result from a potentially wide range of bacterial and viral pathogens. Meningitis is an infection of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Since the causative agent is a virus, antibiotics are not effective. Doctors diagnose pam using specific laboratory tests that are only available in a few u. Pdf diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is very serious because its onset is rapid and the infection is associated with a significant risk of death. Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics, but theres no specific treatment for viral meningitis. It is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and most people get better on their own without treatment. Meningitis doctor discussion guide verywell health.
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