What is the difference between bacterial and 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).
What are the symptoms of viral meningitis?
Coxsackie or Echovirus groups of enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis. Most infections produce no symptoms, or mild symptoms such as sore throats, colds and flu-like illnesses. Some of them may also cause stomach upsets and diarrhoea.
What is the treatment for viral meningitis?
However, there are no effective therapies for most viruses that cause meningitis (antibiotics are ineffective against viruses), so treatment is normally limited to easing the symptoms of the disease (for example painkillers for headache or anti-emetics to stop vomiting).
Can viral meningitis clear on its own?
Viral meningitis is usually mild and often clears on its own. Most cases in the United States are caused by a group of viruses known as enteroviruses, which are most common in late summer and early fall. Viruses such as herpes simplex virus, HIV, mumps virus, West Nile virus and others also can cause viral meningitis.
What is viral meningitis?
Viral meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges caused by a virus. It is most common in young children but is seen across all age groups. This activity reviews the evaluation and management of viral meningitis and explains the role of the interprofessional team in evaluating and treating patients with viral meningitis.
Why is it important to obtain a travel history in patients with suspected viral meningitis?
It is important to obtain a travel history in patients with suspected viral meningitis, as many viruses have specific geographical distributions. [8]
What is the Nigrovic model?
Development and validation of a multivariable predictive model to distinguish bacterial from aseptic meningitis in children in the post-Haemophilus influenzae era. Pediatrics. 2002 Oct;110(4):712-9. [PubMed: 12359784]
What is the pathology of meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammatory pathology of the meninges surrounding the brain.[3] Viruses can reach the meninges in a variety of ways, including spread via the bloodstream, retrograde spread from nerve endings, and reactivation from a dormant state within the nervous system. [3][4] As a virus reaches the central nervous system (CNS) and spreads through the subarachnoid space, it causes an inflammatory response resulting in meningitis.[8] Encephalitis occurs when there is inflammation of the brain parenchyma and is associated with a worse prognosis. [1][3] The mumps virus is highly neurotropic and can directly infect the epithelium of the choroid plexus.[4] Enteroviruses replicate outside the CNS and reach the CNS via hematogenous spread. [8]
What is the most common cause of meningitis?
Enteroviruses rank as the most common cause of viral meningitis in many places in the world, with up to 12 to 19 cases per 100000 population annually in some high-income countries.[7] WNV, which is spread by mosquitoes, can cause meningitis and encephalitis. It is now endemic in North America and carries a 4 to 13% fatality rate. Mortality is higher in patients who are elderly, immunosuppressed, or have diabetes.
Can viral meningitis cause nausea?
The clinical findings of viral meningitis can vary by age and immune status.[9] Viral meningitis typically presents with acute onset of fever, headache, photophobia, neck stiffness, and nausea/vomiting. Young children may present with fever and irritability without evidence of meningeal irritation. In the initial presentation, there are no reliable clinical indicators to differentiate viral versus bacterial meningitis.[1] Neonates with enteroviral meningitis can present similarly to bacterial sepsis and may also have systemic involvement such as hepatic necrosis, myocarditis, necrotizing enterocolitis, seizures, or focal neurologic findings. [9]
Does WNV cause neurological sequelae?
Half of the patients with WNV encephalitis have long-term neurological or psychological sequelae. [8]
What is the cause of meningitis in adults?
Herpes viruses are the other common cause of viral meningitis in adolescents and adults in developed countries [2]. Herpes viruses include the herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) and varicella zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. HSVs can cause meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain itself, ...
What is the most common cause of meningitis?
Coxsackie or Echovirus groups of enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis. Most infections produce no symptoms, or mild symptoms such as sore throats, colds and flu-like illnesses. Some of them may also cause stomach upsets and diarrhoea.
Can meningitis cause short term memory loss?
Most people recover with no noticeable effects, however recent studies have found that some patients with viral meningitis may develop short-term memory loss and attention deficits [5-6]. There is also some evidence that children who have viral meningitis under 1 year of age, may develop subtle neurological problems later in life [7].
Can herpes be transmitted to contacts?
Since they can transmit the virus without having symptoms, infection can be spread unknowingly to contacts. The timing of transmission is unpredictable, so genital herpes infection (and herpes meningitis) can appear even after many years in a monogamous relationship.
Can viral meningitis be prevented?
Most causes of viral meningitis are not preventable, although a good general precaution against viral meningitis is attention to handwashing since enteroviruses in particular usually enter the body via the hand to mouth route. Immunisation against mumps and measles (MMR) is offered to children at 12-13 months and 3 years of age as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. Immunisations are also available for some Flaviviruses such as tick-borne encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis, and are recommended for travellers to areas where the risk of these infections is high.
What is the most common cause of meningitis in the US?
Viral meningitis is usually mild and often clears on its own. Most cases in the United States are caused by a group of viruses known as enteroviruses, which are most common in late summer and early fall. Viruses such as herpes simplex virus, HIV, mumps virus, West Nile virus and others also can cause viral meningitis.
How do you get meningitis?
Common bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette.
What causes meningitis in animals?
Parasites can cause a rare type of meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis. Parasitic meningitis can also be caused by a tapeworm infection in the brain (cysticercosis) or cerebral malaria. Amoebic meningitis is a rare type that is sometimes contracted through swimming in fresh water and can quickly become life-threatening. The main parasites that cause meningitis typically infect animals. People are usually infected by eating foods contaminated with these parasites. Parasitic meningitis isn't spread between people.
How old is the most likely age to get meningitis?
Age. Most cases of viral meningitis occur in children younger than age 5. Bacterial meningitis is common in those under age 20.
How long does it take for meningitis to kill?
Bacterial meningitis is serious and can be fatal within days without prompt antibiotic treatment. Delayed treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage or death.
What to do if you suspect someone has meningitis?
Seek immediate medical care if you suspect that someone has meningitis. Early treatment of bacterial meningitis can prevent serious complications.
Why are college students at greater risk for meningitis?
This is probably because the bacterium is spread through the respiratory route, and spreads quickly through large groups. Pregnancy.