Viral meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membrane that covers the brain. It is caused by viruses. How is this disease contracted? Is she serious? How does she take care of herself? Are there any risks of keeping sequelae?
Definition: what is viral meningitis?
Viral meningitis is a inflammation of the meninges, an envelope that surrounds and protects the brain. Most often this disease is mild. It occurs most frequently in children and young adults but can also affect adults later. “She is secondary to a viral infectionexplains Dr. Catherine Weil-Olivier, Professor of Pediatrics. Mumps, measles, rubella, chickenpox, poliomyelitis, infectious mononucleosis… are the main causes of viral meningitis but also enteroviruses, adenoviruses…”.
It’s a contagious illness, responsible for epidemics, most often contained. It is transmitted through direct human contact.
What are the symptoms of viral meningitis?
The disease is characterized by:
- Fever
- Intense headaches
- Intolerance to light and noise
- Nausea or vomiting
- A gray complexion
- Significant aches
- A great tiredness
- Sometimes neurological symptoms such as episodes of confusion, seizures or paralysis
- On clinical examination, neck stiffness is evocative
How long does viral meningitis last?
“She heals within a few days, one week max and this in a spontaneous way, not justifying any treatment“, says Dr. Weil-Olivier.
Is it serious in children?
Viral meningitis is the leading cause of meningitis in children. “In most cases, it is not a serious illness, although the symptoms are very unpleasant for the child and impressive for those around“, reassures the pediatrician.
Is it serious in adults?
No, it’s usually not not a serious disease in adults.
What treatment to treat viral meningitis?
The diagnosis is made by on clinical examination of the patient as well as the realization of a lumbar puncture (sampling of cerebrospinal fluid, surrounding the central nervous system). “Its analysis makes it possible to differentiate whether the meningitis is of viral or bacterial origin (in the case of viral meningitis, the liquid is clear, and does not contain any bacteria), says Dr. Weil-Olivier. If the patient does not have an immune deficiency, the disease heals on its own in a few days. Antibiotic treatment is of no use in viral meningitis. Some medications relieve certain symptoms and are sometimes useful: antipyretics against fever and analgesics against pain mainly. And rest“.
What are the risks of sequelae?
“In the absence of manifestations of associated encephalitis, the evolution is simple. In rare casessequelae may occur: this is mainly a deafness, (single or bilateral) due to the mumps virus“, says the expert.
Is there a vaccine to prevent the risk of viral meningitis?
No, No vaccine exists against all viral meningitis.
“But triple vaccination (measles, mumps, rubella) mandatory in children under 2 years of age has significantly reduced the risk of meningitis due to these viruses. Likewise, the chickenpox vaccination, if recommended, would reduce this risk“, says Dr. Weil-Olivier.
Dr. Catherine Weil-Olivier, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Paris VI, and specialist in the issue of meningitis.