Jul 17, 2018 treatment for viral meningitis is mostly supportive. Viral meningitis is more common, less serious, and usually causes fewer longlasting problems than the bacterial form. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. However, guidelines differ as to which clinical features constitute an. In the past 1015 years, viral meningitis has been recognised increasingly, and can be a substantial cause of morbidity. Rare causes of viral meningitis include influenza, parainfluenza, rotavirus, vaccinia, and encephalomyocarditis virus. Viral meningitis also called aseptic meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. Apr 18, 2014 viral meningitis, a type of aseptic meningitis, is the most common form. Viral meningitis is inflammation of the leptomeninges as a manifestation of central nervous system cns infection. Meningitis can be caused by many different germs including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Viral meningitis in children what you need to know. 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. Viral meningitis, in contrast, tends to resolve spontaneously and is rarely fatal.
Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and etiology in children and viral meningitis. Antimicrobial therapy has great impacts on neurological complications and survival rate. Although anyone can get fungal meningitis, people at higher risk are those who have aids, leukemia, or other forms of immunodeficiency. Most at risk are those in the same household, those in direct contact with the infected. Feb 03, 2020 viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in saliva, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements.
For clinical guidelines, we accessed the websites of the uk health protection. Treatment for viral meningitis is mostly supportive. Over a similar time period molecular diagnostics have increasingly been used. A variety of viruses can cause meningitis, including those that cause gastroenteritis, measles, mumps, chicken pox and herpes. Viral meningitis national library of medicine pubmed health. People with meningitis caused by certain viruses such as herpesvirus and influenza may benefit from treatment. The recovery time for viral meningitis depends on the. But, bacterial meningitis infections are very serious. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Doctors diagnose pam using specific laboratory tests that are only available in a few u. Jan 05, 2008 viral meningitis is a notifiable disease in england and wales, but many cases undoubtedly go unreported. 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 can also be a complication of mumps, chickenpox, or other viral diseases. Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cordalso called the meninges. Viral meningitis nonbacterial meningitis fact sheet. The most important decision is whether to initiate antimicrobial therapy empirically for bacterial meningitis while waiting for the cause to be identified. Symptoms commonly include headache, fever, sensitivity to light and neck stiffness viruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis. Since the widespread introduction of conjugate vaccines against haemophilus influenzae type b in 1992, neisseria meningitidis serogroup c in 1999, and streptococcus pneumoniae in 2002, the incidence of communityacquired bacterial meningitis. Symptoms commonly include headache, fever, sensitivity to light and neck stiffness.
Antiinflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, may be considered under specific circumstances. However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because some types of meningitis can be. Most cases of recurrent viral meningitis are caused by hsv2. It is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and most people get better on their own without treatment. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Viral meningitis is usually less serious than meningitis that is caused by bacteria or fungi. Some of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis include neisseria meningitidis, streptococcus. This is normally caused by infection but can also have noninfectious causes.
It results in inflammation of the meninges the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of the disease to cause serious, longterm complications. Aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis requires hospitalization and supportive treatment based on severity. Viral meningitis boston health care for the homeless. The virus is spread from an infected person to another by coughing, kissing, or sharing food or drinks. This includes rest, fluids, and feverreducing medicine. Prevention of the spread of viral meningitis includes frequent hand washing and covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Rest, hydration, antipyretics, and pain or antiinflammatory medications may be given as needed. Viral meningitis is usually much less severe than other types. This article highlights the viral meningitis symptoms and treatment. Viral meningitis is a notifiable disease in england and wales, but many cases undoubtedly go unreported. Other significant causes of viral meningitis are illustrated in table 1.
In the absence of a lumbar puncture, viral and bacterial meningitis cannot be. A delay of only 3 hours in treatment of bacterial men ingitis has been. In general, there are no medications to fight the germs that cause viral meningitis, so treatment is usually aimed at easing the symptoms. Viral names the causative agent, and the term meningitis implies lack of parenchymal and spinal cord involvement otherwise called encephalitis and. Incidence, aetiology, and sequelae of viral meningitis in.
It is caused by virus, bacteria, as well as other microorganisms. They may result in death or brain damage, even if treated. Doctor answers on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and more. Meningitis in both forms is contagious, but not as easily contracted as the common cold or flu. Fungal meningitis is rare, but can be life threatening. Viral meningitis national library of medicine pubmed. Its typically mild and goes away without treatment. It is estimated that viral encephalitis occurs at a rate of 1. Medical management of viral meningitis consists of supportive treatment and there is. Viral meningitis is an infection of the membranes linings that cover the brain and spinal cord. Geography is a major determinant of encephalitis caused by vectorborne pathogens. 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.
Viral meningitis, a type of aseptic meningitis, is the most common form. 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. After effects of viral meningitis in adults answers on. The most common causes of meningitis are viral infections. May 30, 2018 meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Since the widespread introduction of conjugate vaccines against haemophilus influenzae type b in 1992, neisseria meningitidis serogroup c in 1999, and streptococcus pneumoniae in 2002, the incidence of communityacquired bacterial meningitis has been declining. 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. Hsv1 typically causes encephalitis rather than meningitis. Other symptoms include confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light or loud noises. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Treatment of viral meningitis no specific treatment patient recovery time usually within 2 weeks antibiotics do not help viral infections recommendations from doctors. Parent handout on meningitis viral meningitis viral meningitis does not produce severe or potentially dangerous symptoms. 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 is a virusborne inflammation of the meninges, which are the.
Incidence, aetiology, and sequelae of viral meningitis in uk. Viral meningitis fact sheet what is viral meningitis. Viral diagnosis informs prognosis, enhances care of the patient, reduces the use of. Finland, the annual incidence of presumed viral meningitis was 219 per 00 in infants under 1 year and 27. Viral meningitis oxford academic oxford university press. Viral meningitis can also be a complication of mumps. Viral meningitis may be suspected on the basis of epidemiologic data, clinical features, and initial cerebrospinal csf studies, but clinical features cannot reliably differentiate viral from bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis requires close monitoring in the hospital.
You may also get a type of viral meningitis if you are bitten by a mosquito that carries the west nile virus. Viruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis. The early symptoms of pam are similar to other more common illnesses, such as bacterial or viral meningitis. Most cases in the united states are caused by nonpolio enteroviruses. Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the protective membrane around the brain and spinal cord. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis pam is a rare brain infection that is usually fatal and caused by naegleria fowleri. Meningitis powerpoint 2009 warren hills regional school. Viral meningitis is caused due to the inflammation of the delicate membranes that protect the meninges. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
Rapid onset and progression of symptoms over hours is typical and can. Goldie on after effects of viral meningitis in adults. Viral meningitis is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis. Viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in sputum spit, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements. Most people with viral meningitis recover on their own within 710 days. Viral meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges associated with. Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis and can be caused by many different viruses. Viral meningitis brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders. It is self limiting and those infected respond to rest, fluids and possibly some anti. Viral meningitis is rarely serious, although symptoms may be severe. The virus is spread from an infected person to another through coughing, kissing, or sharing food or drinks. These infections usually get better without treatment. Pam is difficult to diagnose because of the rarity of the infection and the nonspecific early symptoms.
Meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral infections. Diseases which can cause viral meningitis or encephalitis include mumps, measles and polio. There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Incidence, aetiology, and sequelae of viral meningitis in uk adults.
Viral meningitis is also available in portable document format pdf, 15kb, 2pg. Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis is life threatening, and must be distinguished from the more common aseptic viral. It is an uncommon disease but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death. Viral meningitis, also known as aseptic meningitis, is a type of meningitis due to a viral infection. Viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in saliva, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements. 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. There is no consistent longterm effect after the viral meningitis. Viral meningitis symptoms and treatment health hearty. Untreated, bacterial meningitis is almost always fatal. Physicians often recommend rest, plenty of fluids, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs to relieve fever and headache. Dec 15, 2010 acute meningitis is a medical emergency with a potential for high morbidity and mortality.
Viral meningitis is diagnosed using laboratory tests e. Viral meningitis antibiotics cant treat viral meningitis and, in most cases, the infection goes away on its own with time. Meningitis is an infection of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. With treatment, mortality risk of death from bacterial meningitis depends on the age of the person and the underlying cause. Terminology meningitis meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, manifest by cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis ie, an increased number of white blood cells. Although studies have shown that ribavirin, a drug used to treat several other viral diseases, is effective against lcmv. Table 1 lists the causes of viral meningitis by frequency. Viral meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges the covering of the brain and spinal cord caused by infection with a virus. Viral meningitis is seen most often in children and young adults, but anyone can get viral meningitis. 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. Pdf diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis. Meningitis 186 early phases of viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis, the symptoms are almost similar carbonnelle, 2009.
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