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Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Viral meningitis is a type of meningitis due to a viral infection. It is also referred to as aseptic meningitis. It results in inflammation of the meninges (the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord). Symptoms commonly include headache, fever, sensitivity to light, and neck stiffness.[1]
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Viruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis.[2] Most cases of viral meningitis are caused by enteroviruses (common stomach viruses).[3][4][5] However, other viruses can also cause viral meningitis. For instance, West Nile virus, mumps, measles, herpes simplex types I and II, varicella, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus.[4][6] Based on clinical symptoms, viral meningitis cannot be reliably differentiated from bacterial meningitis, although viral meningitis typically follows a more benign clinical course. Viral meningitis has no evidence of bacteria present in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Therefore, lumbar puncture with CSF analysis is often needed to identify the disease.[7]
In most causes there is no specific treatment, with efforts generally aimed at relieving symptoms (headache, fever, or nausea).[8] A few viral causes, such as HSV, have specific treatments.
In the United States viral meningitis is the cause of greater than half of all cases of meningitis.[9]