viral MENINGITIS
Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, an inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. It is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and most people get better on their own (without treatment).
Signs & Symptoms
Common symptoms in babies:
Although, most people with viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10 days; initial symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those for bacterial meningitis. It is very important to see a healthcare provider right away if you think you or your child might have meningitis; a doctor can determine if you have the disease, the type of meningitis, and the best treatment.
Risk Factors
Complications
Causes
Viruses that can cause meningitis are:
Communicable / Non-communicable
Communicable
Signs & Symptoms
Common symptoms in babies:
- Fever
- Irritability
- Poor eating
- Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep
- Lethargy (a lack of energy)
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy (a lack of energy)
Although, most people with viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10 days; initial symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those for bacterial meningitis. It is very important to see a healthcare provider right away if you think you or your child might have meningitis; a doctor can determine if you have the disease, the type of meningitis, and the best treatment.
Risk Factors
- Babies younger than 1 month old and people with weakened immune systems
- Inherited the tendency to get meningitis.
- Males get meningitis more often than females
- People in the following places are more likely to get meningitis
- camps
- day care centers
- schools
- college dormitories
- camps
- Exposure to insects and rodents
- Not getting childhood immunizations
- Being an older adult who hasn't gotten a pneumococcal vaccine
- Travel to areas where meningitis is common.
- For example, people traveling to the "meningitis belt" in sub-Saharan Africa should get a meningococcal shot
- Having a birth defect of the skull, a head injury, or brain surgery
- Receiving kidney dialysis
- Other infections, such as upper respiratory infections, mumps, tuberculosis (TB), or Lyme disease
- Being born to a mother infected with an organism that causes meningitis.
Complications
- Hearing loss
- Memory difficulty
- Learning disabilities
- Brain damage
- Gait problems
- Seizures
- Kidney failure
Causes
Viruses that can cause meningitis are:
- Non-polio enteroviruses
- Mumps virus
- Varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles)
- Measles virus
- Influenza virus
- Arboviruses, such as West Nile virus
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
Communicable / Non-communicable
Communicable