Anyone can get viral meningitis, but it occurs most often in children. It is
more common in the summer. Most cases of viral meningitis are relatively mild,
with symptoms of headache, fever and general ill feeling, and those affected
recover without medical treatment. This is one reason why it is so difficult to
measure how many cases of viral meningitis actually occur, but we do know that
it is fairly common, probably more common than bacterial meningitis.
Sometimes the disease progresses with further symptoms: nausea and vomiting,
stiff neck, sore throat, abdominal pain, muscle pain, photophobia, altered
consciousness. Very unusually, it can become life-threatening or cause long-term
after effects.
Viral meningitis is not usually associated with septicaemia/meningococcemia.
Although most people recover within 5 - 10 days , it may take more time, and for some people the recovery period is prolonged. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, so treatment is normally limited to easing the symptoms of the disease (for example, painkillers for headache, anti-emetics to stop vomiting).
Many different viruses can cause viral meningitis, and most people are exposed to some of them during their life without developing meningitis.
In cases of viral meningitis, it is not always possible to identify the type of virus responsible for the disease.
Viral meningitis is not normally considered to be contagious, because although some of the viruses that cause it are contagious, they very seldom cause meningitis. A person with viral meningitis may pass on the virus, but this would be unlikely to cause another person to develop viral meningitis. In some countries outbreaks of viral meningitis are sometimes caused by contamination of the water supply.
However the same Preventatives are good to follow with both viral and bacterial meningitis. Except for the vaccines.
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