Aseptic Meningitis (Viral Meningitis) definition, diagnosis and treatment

 Aseptic Meningitis (Viral Meningitis)

Definition of aseptic meningitis:

Aseptic meningitis is a clinical term for an illness comprising meningeal irritation, fever, and alterations in consciousness of relatively acute onset. 

• The clinical course is less fulminant than in pyogenic meningitis.  
• In contrast to pyogenic meningitis, examination of the CSF often shows lymphocytosis, moderate protein elevation, and a normal glucose level. 
• The disease typically is self-limiting

Causes and causative agents of viral meningitis

Virus: 

-  Arboviral (mosquito-borne) diseases

-  Influenza 

-  LaCrosse Encephalitis virus

-  West Nile Virus

Common; Usually clears up in 1-2 weeks with no specific treatment

Rarely serious infection of fluid in the spinal cord or fluid that surrounds the brain

Also called aseptic meningitis

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Signs and symptoms of aseptic meningitis:

• Usually occur one week after exposure
• Fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Tiredness
• Sore Throat
• Vomiting
• Photophobia

Treatment and prevention of aseptic meningitis:

• No specific treatment for viral meningitis
• Antibiotics do not work on viruses.
• Pay careful attention to personal hygiene.
• Good hand-washing helps prevent spread of infection and viruses.

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