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