Causes of Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. As the term denotes, viral meningitis is caused by a virus infection on the membranes outlining the brain and spinal cord. It is also called as aseptic meningitis.

Viral meningitis is considered a serious disease but not as deadly as bacterial meningitis. Patients, who have strong immune system, usually suffer symptoms of viral meningitis from 7 to days and recover completely.

Viral meningitis are caused by different viral infections. The most common virus they trigger viral meningitis are the enteroviruses which are particularly active in the United States during summer and fall. People who get enteroviruses usually suffer cold, rash or mouth sores accompanied by a slight fever. On rare occasions, these mild symptoms develop into a full-blown meningitis. Other leading causes of meningitis are mumps, herpes virus, measles, and influenza. Arboviruses, which are spread through mosquito or insect bites are also causes of viral meningitis. Virus carried by rats, or lymphocytic virus, is also a rare cause of viral meningitis.

Symptoms of viral meningitis fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, and lack of appetite. Viral meningitis is normally diagnosed by a laboratory test on the spinal fluid, taken through a spinal tap. The text will confirm if the spinal fluid infiltrated by bacterial or viral meningitis and by which type or virus or bacteria.

As mentioned earlier, viral meningitis is highly curable. Most patients recover on their own even without treatment. Doctors normally will recommend bed rest, high-fluid intake and medicines to calm fever and headache.

To avoid being infected by viral, or even bacterial, meningitis it is wise to develop good hygiene practices. Children should also undergo complete vaccination program to boost their immune system. Vaccines against measles and mumps, for instance, are known to prevent viral meningitis that develops from viruses that cause measles and mumps.

More often, the symptoms of viral meningitis are the same as with bacterial meningitis, so if you suspect your loved ones to have viral meningitis it is always best to seek medical care.  Click here to know more about bacterial meningitis.