Viral Meningitis Symptoms and How to Effectively Treat It

Viral meningitis or aseptic meningitis is commonly caused by enteroviruses that are spread through contact with infected feces or throat, nose secretions by an infected patient, and bloodsucking insect bites. Compared to bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis is considered mild since it can go away within a week or two without any specific treatment.

It is more common in children and spreads rapidly in areas where water is scarce and during summer and autumn months. Though common in children, adults can get infected with the disease too. Patients who are over forty years old are mostly immune.

Viral Meningitis Symptoms

For babies below eighteen months, the following symptoms are observed:

• Loss of appetite and refusal to eat

• Unusually sleepy several times in a day

• Fussiness that often cannot be consoled

• Back becomes tender or rigid than usual

• Low-grade fever

• Vomiting

Children and Adults will Show the Following Symptoms:

• Appearance of rashes or red flat spots that may cover just both legs and arms. There are cases wherein the rashes spread throughout the body. These rashes are not the same as those that will appear when a patient has meningococcal meningitis.

• Sore throat

• Conjunctivitis symptoms which include reddening, itchiness, discharges that form into crusts and tearing of one or both eyes.

• Weakening of the muscles

• Fatigue and generalized feelings of tiredness

• Headaches

• Low grade fever

• Nausea and vomiting

• Muscle aches, spasms, and cramping

• Pains and aches in the joints

• Stiff neck

• Drowsiness

• Squints when there are bright lights

• Stomach pains that may include diarrhea

• Insomnia or difficulties in sleeping

• Children may exhibit changes in personality like behavioral problems and difficulties in focusing and concentrating.

Treatment for Viral Meningitis

Incubation period of this infection ranges from a few days to weeks depending on the type of virus that caused it. During this time, several treatment options can be done.

• Rehydration procedures will be administered if the patient had been vomiting, has diarrhea, or shows signs of dehydration. Adults are usually recommended to drink lots of fluids several times per day, including sports drinks that are loaded with electrolytes. Children and babies often need intravenous fluids.

• This disease is not life-threatening and patients that have it will recover within one or two weeks. There have been reported cases wherein the headaches along with fatigue, problems in concentrating, and irritability may linger longer. Rarely, patients experience long term neurological effects.