Viral meningitis is rarely fatal, but can be debilitating. Some people only feel the symptoms for 7-10 days while others for 3-4 months, which can lead to hospitalization and prolonged absence of school or work. Enteroviruses, the most common type of viral meningitis, occur during the summer and fall. Although enterovirus exposure is high, less than 1 out of 1000 infections become viral meningitis, so there's a moderate chance of becoming infected with the virus but not with meningitis.
Viral meningitis is spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (kissing, coughing, sneezing, and sharing a cup, utensil, lip gloss, or cigarette). Viral meningitis is also found in one's stool, which is how infants and neonates who aren't toilet trained and adults changing diapers develop it. Herpes simplex and genital herpes can cause viral meningitis in infants and neonates and chicken pox, rabies and HIV can develop it in all ages.
The incubation period is 3-7 days from the time of infection until the development of symptoms, therefore, the virus can be spread 3 days after infection until 10 days after the development of symptoms. Risk factors for development are exposure to someone with a recent viral infection or children in a day care facility or having a suppress immune system.
Causes and Risk Factors of Viral Meningitis
Enteroviruses are the usual cause. These are the viruses that only infect human beings and are spread by the fecal-oral route. They live in the human intestine.
Echovirus and Coxsackie are the two that cause most viral meningitis in the U.S.. Polio is also an enterovirus.
Where is viral meningitis found ?
Viral meningitis is found worldwide. Cases occurring in summer and fall are usually caused by mosquito-borne viruses. Those occurring in winter are likely due to other diseases.
How do people get viral meningitis ?
The way people get viral meningitis depends on the virus involved. Some viruses that cause viral meningitis are spread by person-to-person contact ; others are spread by insects. Fortunately, very few people who become infected with these viruses actually develop meningitis.
