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. In many cases, the specific virus that caused the meningitis is not. Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. Enteroviruses are present in mucus, saliva, and feces and can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or an infected object or surface. Early treatment for bacterial meningitis results in better outcome. The testing for both meningitis and aseptic meningitis is mostly the. Viral meningitis is also often referred to as aseptic meningitis. With treatment, mortality risk of death from bacterial meningitis depends on the age of the person and the underlying cause. Call 911 or have someone call 911 for any of the following.
Viral meningitis occurs when the protective covering of the brain and the spinal cord meninges becomes inflamed due to an infection caused by a virus. About 90% of viral meningitis cases are due to common stomach viruses called enteroviruses, but other viruses can also cause viral meningitis. In 2008, 23 of in states laboratory confirmed cases of aseptic meningitis were caused by different serotypes of enterovirus. Viral meningitis neurologic disorders merck manuals. Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis. Meningitis can be caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. Traumatic meningitis article about traumatic meningitis. Viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in saliva, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements.
After effects confederation of meningitis organisations. The challenge is that theres no easy formula to tell you how itll go. In general, meningitis caused by a virus is less serious than meningitis caused by bacteria. Although the epidemiology of meningitis has shown significant decline in past decades, partly due to the introduction of vaccines, outbreaks are. It is usually a mild illness characterized by fever, severe headache, aches and pains. There are many types of viruses that can cause this disease. Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, is extremely dangerous. Viral meningitis is inflammation of the lining that surrounds and protects your brain and spinal cord. Although it is rarely life threatening, viral meningitis can make people very unwell. Meningitis can be caused by many different germs including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Viral, or aseptic, meningitis is usually caused by enterovirusescommon viruses that enter the body through the mouth and travel to the brain and surrounding tissues where they multiply.
Viral meningitis nonbacterial meningitis fact sheet. Many viruses can cause meningeal inflammation, a condition referred to as viral aseptic meningitis. 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. Meningitis and septicaemia can cause a range of disabilities and problems that can alter lives. Bacterial meningitis is a severe, lifethreatening infection of the central nervous system that requires immediate medical attention. In uncomplicated viral meningitis, the clinical course is usually selflimited, with complete recovery in 710 days. Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. Viral meningitis in children what you need to know. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Meningitis viral trastornos neurologicos manual merck. Viral meningitis is also called aseptic meningitis. Clinical features and diagnosis in children, section on diagnosis. Aseptic meningitis in the newborn and young infant. There were more than 450 cases of viral meningitis reported among new york city residents in 2003.
Viral meningitis national library of medicine pubmed. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Viral meningitis also called aseptic meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. Viral meningitis is a viral infection of the lining meninges covering the brain and spinal cord.
It can be caused by a variety of viral pathogens, and infection by herpes simplex virus hsv is the most treatable cause of. Manifestations tend to resemble those of bacterial meningitis but are usually less severe eg, nuchal rigidity may be less pronounced. It is essential for clinicians to recognize the clinical signs and symptoms of meningitis and understand its management and prevention. Viral meningitis, in contrast, tends to resolve spontaneously and is rarely fatal. A rehabilitation team can help you retrain your brain and redevelop functions lost as a result of meningitis. Physicians who treat viral meningitis in north carolina. How can i help my teenager recover from meningitis. Life after meningitis, whatever the outcome, can be lifechanging.
Most children with viral meningitis recover completely. Diseases due to pathogens that spread between people, called infectious diseases, are not the only things that can cause meningitis. Viral meningitis also called aseptic meningitis is the most common type of infectious meningitis. Early treatment for bacterial meningitis results in better. Viral meningitis aftercare instructions what you need. Aftereffects of viral meningitis occur more often in newborn infants or in the elderly than in children, adolescents, or adults. A young survivor of meningitis is now active in a campaign to raise awareness of the meningitis vaccine. Effects of meningitis meningitis research foundation. Physical disabilities may be obvious, however neurological and emotional problems may not be immediately apparent but can also cause a wide range of challenges. Aseptic meningitis is caused by viruses, mycobacteria, spirochetes, fungi, medications, and cancer malignancies. Its typically mild and goes away without treatment. Viral meningitis is sometimes called aseptic meningitis to indicate it is not the result of bacterial infection and cannot be treated with antibiotics. This could be a person with meningitis or the more ordinary infection caused by that germ. As your teen starts to recover from meningitis, its fair to wonder what comes next.
Mycobacterial infections can also cause aseptic meningitis. It can be caused by a number of different viruses and is often a complication of another viral illness. Meningitis viral meningitis no bacteriana english version. Viral meningitis, also known as aseptic meningitis, is the more common variety and is not as severe as the bacterial form, often not requiring any specific treatment. Viral meningitis is seen most often in children and young adults, but anyone can get viral meningitis. Meningitis is a life threatening condition involving an inflammation in the thin protective membranes meninges that line the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is an infection of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. The overall prevalence of viral meningitis was not associated with any medical background, clinical or hospital course characteristics, except neck rigidity and a. Rarely lifethreatening it can still leave people with lifechanging aftereffects. Even with appropriate treatment, morbidity and mortality can be substantial. In general, meningitis due to bacteria bacterial meningitis is more severe than meningitis caused by viruses viral meningitis. However, when the viral pathogen causes a more involved meningoencephalitis or meningomyelitis, the course can be significantly more protracted. Viral meningitis can also be a complication of mumps, chickenpox, or other viral diseases. The stories about meningitis i hear in the news sound pretty scary.
Aseptic meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, a membrane covering the brain and spinal cord in patients whose cerebral spinal fluid test result is negative with routine bacterial cultures. Encephalitis and meningitis are inflammatory diseases of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and are caused by bacterial or viral infections. Almost all of the cases occur as single, isolated events. Viral meningitis, like acute bacterial meningitis, usually begins with symptoms that suggest viral infection eg, fever, myalgias, gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms, followed by symptoms and signs of meningitis headache, fever, nuchal rigidity. Encephalitis is an infection of the brain parenchyma causing inflammation within the cns and is most often the result of a viral infection of brain tissue. The most common viral causes include the enteroviruses, the various herpesviruses, viruses transmitted by arthropods, the human immunodeficiency virus type i hiv1, and formerly, the mumps virus. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. The virus is spread from an infected person to another through coughing, kissing, or sharing food or drinks. Bacterial meningitis is more dangerous and is typically caused by meningococcal bacteria.
Bacterial meningitis has an incidence of about 20 to. This page describes some of thing things that can cause meningitis that do not spread from one person to another noninfectious. Using a simple, validated prediction model, viral meningitis can be effectively ruled in and bacterial meningitis ruled out, even in the setting of high cerebrospinal fluid csf pleocytosis. 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. Some children with meningitis may have longterm problems, but this depends on the cause of the infection and the age of the child.
Application of a validated clinical decision rule may have reduced hospitalizations for viral meningitis in our study by 59%. Untreated, bacterial meningitis is almost always fatal. After effects may be temporary or permanent, physical or emotional. Rapid viral pcr or culture can quickly identify the virus if present in the csf. When a newborn or young infant presents with fever and lethargy or irritability, meningitis is a primary concern. View as pdf send by post viral meningitis is an infection of the meninges the thin lining of the brain and spinal cord. Your child may also get a type of viral meningitis if he is bitten by a mosquito that carries the west nile virus. Viral meningitis is a virusborne inflammation of the meninges, which are the. Meningitis can also impact on loved ones coping with loss or looking after someone in recovery.
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