Viral Meningitis (Nonbacterial Meningitis)

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New York State Department of Health Viral Meningitis (nonbacterial meningitis) Last Reviewed: November 2006 What is viral meningitis? 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. It is a fairly common disease; 500-700 cases are reported each year in New York State. Almost all of the cases occur as single, isolated events. Outbreaks are rare. Who gets viral meningitis? Anyone can get viral meningitis but it occurs most often in children. Which viruses cause this form of meningitis? Approximately half of the cases in the United States are due to common enteroviruses (intestinal). Occasionally, children will have viral meningitis associated with mumps or herpes virus infection. Mosquito- borne viruses also account for a few cases each year. In many cases, the specific virus cannot be identified. How are the viruses that cause viral meningitis spread? Because a number of different viruses are capable of causing viral meningitis, the manner in which the virus is spread depends upon the type of virus involved. Some are spread by person-to-person contact; others can be spread by insects. What are the symptoms? The symptoms may include fever, headache, stiff neck and fatigue. Rash, sore throat and intestinal symptoms may also occur. How soon do symptoms appear? Symptoms generally appear within one week of exposure. Is a person with viral meningitis contagious? Some of the enteroviruses that cause viral meningitis are contagious while others, such as mosquito-borne viruses, cannot be spread from person to person. Fortunately, most people exposed to these viruses experience mild or no symptoms. Most people are exposed to these viruses at some time in their lives, but few actually develop meningitis. Should a person with viral meningitis be isolated? Strict isolation is not necessary. Since most cases are due to enteroviruses that may be passed in the stool, people diagnosed with viral meningitis should be instructed to thoroughly wash their hands after using the toilet. How is viral meningitis treated? There are no specific medicines or antibiotics used to treat viral meningitis. Revised: June 2004 .

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Peachtree Street NW, 15th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142 Georgia Department of Public Health www.health.state.ga.us Viral Encephalitis and Viral (Aseptic) Meningitis Frequently Asked Questions What are viral encephalitis and viral meningitis? Viral encephalitis is inflammation (or swelling) of the brain caused by a viral infection. Symptoms of viral encephalitis include headache, fever, stiff neck, seizures, changes in consciousness such as confusion or coma, and sometimes death. Viral (or aseptic) meningitis is also caused by a viral infection resulting in inflammation (or swelling) of the meninges, the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those of viral encephalitis, although loss of or changes in consciousness are not common symptoms of viral meningitis. Viral and bacterial meningitis are not caused by the same organisms, and viral meningitis is usually not as serious as bacterial meningitis. What causes viral encephalitis and viral (aseptic) meningitis? Organisms called viruses cause viral encephalitis and viral meningitis. Many different types of viruses cause these illnesses. Some of these viruses can be passed from person to person, such as when people (especially young children) do not practice good hygiene by washing their hands thoroughly. Other viruses can be passed to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes or ticks. When do most cases of viral encephalitis and viral meningitis occur? Viral encephalitis and viral meningitis occur year‐round. Encephalitis from mosquito bites usually occurs in the late summer and fall, when mosquitoes are most active. Tick‐borne viral encephalitis usually occurs in the spring and early summer, although cases of tick‐borne encephalitis have never been documented in Georgia.
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