Effects

• Viral meningitis has a number of classic symptoms, namely headache, stiff neck and fever. You may also experience vomiting and a heightened sensitivity to light. Confusion, seizures and difficulty concentrating sometimes occur, but these symptoms usually indicate a different type of meningitis. In young children, symptoms include inconsolable crying, a bulging soft spot and an inability to maintain eye contact.
  
  

Considerations

• Viral meningitis usually has quite mild symptoms that are easily mistaken for the flu. Many people who experience this condition are unaware they have it. However, the illness can still cause considerable discomfort and lost time from work or school. Some viruses that cause meningitis are contagious and can spread to others. If you have symptoms of viral meningitis, wash your hands frequently and avoid intimate contact until you have fully recovered.
  
  

Identification

• Viral meningitis may be suspected based on symptoms, but additional tests are required to confirm the diagnosis. The most important tests are those to determine whether the symptoms may be caused by another, more dangerous, form of meningitis. Depending on the severity of symptoms, a spinal tap may be required to confirm that the condition is caused by a virus rather than a bacterial or fungal infection.
  
  

Warning

• If you suspect you have viral meningitis, it is important to seek medical attention. Early stages of bacterial or fungal meningitis often have the same symptoms as the viral form of the disease. Bacterial and fungal meningitis are extremely dangerous conditions that require prompt hospitalization and medical care. Left untreated, these forms of meningitis may cause permanent neurological damage or death. It is especially important to bring children who exhibit symptoms of this condition to the doctor or hospital promptly. Children have a much higher risk of developing serious complications from meningitis.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• The good news about viral meningitis is that it usually clears up on its own. The best way to deal with this condition is to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Your doctor may also suggest over-the-counter medications to help with discomfort and fever. Viral meningitis usually clears within a few days to a week, and complications are very rare.