What is viral meningitis?
How do you get viral meningitis?What are the symptoms of viral meningitis?How is viral meningitis diagnosed?When is viral meningitis infectious?Do I need to stay away from school or work?
How is viral meningitis treated?Is there a vaccination against viral meningitis?What else can I do to reduce the risk of viral meningitis?
Where can I find more information on viral meningitis?What do I do if I have symptoms?
What is viral meningitis?
Viral meningitis is an infection of the lining of the spinal cord and brain (the meninges).
How do you get viral meningitis?
Viral meningitis is a complication of an underlying infection. Most commonly, it is the result of a gastrointestinal infection (diarrhoea and / or vomiting) but it can be caused by other viruses.
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What are the symptoms of viral meningitis?
Symptoms include:
- fever
- severe headache
- drowsiness or confusion
- nausea and vomiting
- neck stiffness
- sensitivity to light
In babies, symptoms are more difficult to recognise and may also include fretfulness or irritability and
reluctance to feed.
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How is viral meningitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on symptoms and confirmed by blood tests, a stool specimen or throat swabs. Sometimes a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is needed.
When is viral meningitis infectious?
The infectious period is the period when someone with viral meningitis can infect other close contacts. This
depends on the underlying infection. Your doctor will advise you of the infectious period.
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Do I need to stay away from school or work?
You will need to stay away for school or work during the infectious period. Speak to your doctor about this.
How is viral meningitis treated?
There is no specific medication for viral meningitis. Treatment consists of plenty of rest, pain medication as
necessary and sometimes admission to hospital for investigation and monitoring. During recovery, you may feel very tired and need to take additional short rests during the day. However, these symptoms should improve over time and most people make a full recovery from viral meningitis.
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Is there a vaccination against viral meningitis?
No there is no vaccine for viral meningitis. This is sometime confused with the vaccines available for other
types of bacterial meningitis.
What else can I do to reduce the risk of viral meningitis?
- Viruses that cause gastroenteritis and other infections are easily spread from contaminated hands to your mouth.
- Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 15 seconds with warm soapy water. Turn the tap off with a
single-use towel. - Wash your hands before eating, and after the toilet, nappy changing, blowing your nose and after cleaning up body fluid spills.
- Avoid sharing eating and drinking utensils – some viruses may be passed on in saliva.
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Where can I find more information on viral meningitis?
What do I do if I have symptoms?
Present to your local health care provider for assessment
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