VIRAL MENINGITIS

Viral meningitis is more common than the bacterial form, but generally less serious, although it can be very debilitating. It can be caused by many different viruses. Some are spread between people by coughing or sneezing, or through poor hygiene. Others can be found in sewage-polluted water. The incubation period can be up to three weeks.

In mild cases of viral meningitis, people would not even go to their GP, hence there are no reliable figures for the number of cases. However, as the symptoms are similar to the bacterial form, someone with a severe case of viral meningitis will need to be admitted to hospital for tests to find out which form they are suffering from.

Symptoms

If the symptoms are severe, they will be the same as the bacterial form. In less severe cases, other symptoms such as diarrhoea or with mumps, salivary gland swelling may occur.

Treatment

Viral meningitis cannot be helped by antibiotics, and treatment is based on good nursing care. Recovery is normally complete, but headaches, tiredness, and depression may persist.

Causes

The commonest causes of viral meningitis are coxsackie and echoviruses (often known as enteroviruses). It can also develop as a result of infection with herpes simplex, measles, polio, or chickenpox. Mumps meningitis used to be a complication of mumps, but has virtually been eliminated following the introduction of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine.

Found in the intestines of humans, and therefore in faeces and sewage-polluted water, coxsackie viruses are the commonest causes of viral meningitis. Most cases occur in the summer months.

The herpes virus is widespread and usually produces cold sores, but can occasionally cause viral meningitis or encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain itself.