Aseptic meningitis

Causes and Risks:
Coxsackie and echovirus, types of enterovirus, account for about half the cases of aseptic meningitis. Other enteroviruses and mumps are additional causes. The incidence of these infections increases in the summer and early fall. Enterovirus is spread by hand-to-mouth contact and to a lesser extent by respiratory and fecal routes. Mumps is spread by respiratory secretions, with increased incidence in the spring.

Some viruses may cause a severe meningitis and, like bacterial meningitis , can produce permanent neurological deficits such as seizures , motor abnormalities, and mental retardation . Herpes virus, both type 1 ( herpes simplex or herpes labialis) and type 2 ( genital herpes ) can cause meningitis in children and especially infants. Rabies virus causes both an inflammation of the brain and meninges or a meningoencephalitis.

Prevention:
Good handwashing, immunization (against mumps , for example), and other general "good health" measures may reduce the risk of developing an infection that can progress to meningitis .

Symptoms:

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:



Signs and Tests:
A CSF culture detects the virus or rules out other causes of meningitis .

Treatment:
No specific treatment is available for aseptic meningitis. Supportive therapy consists of analgesic medications and management of complications of encephalitis .

Prognosis:
Aseptic meningitis is a benign disease, and people usually have full recovery in 5 to 14 days after the onset of symptoms; however fatigue and lightheadedness may persist longer in some people.

Complications:
Encephalitis may develop.

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of aseptic meningitis occur.