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What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord). It can be caused by a bacterium or virus. Viral meningitis is serious but rarely fatal in persons with normal immune systems. Usually the symptoms last from 7-10 days and the person recovers completely. Bacterial meningitis can be serious and lead to disability or death if not treated promptly. The symptoms for both types are often the same.  

What is viral meningitis?

Viral meningitis is caused by any one of a number of viruses. Many of the viruses that cause viral meningitis are responsible for other specific diseases. Enteroviruses are most commonly associated with viral meningitis and are the causative agent for common and usually mild diseases, such as hand, foot and mouth disease. It can also be associated with mumps, measles and herpes viruses. Anyone can get viral meningitis but it is usually a common, but rarely serious disease, of children and adults under the age of forty. Almost all cases occur as a single, isolated event. It is most prevalent in late summer and early autumn. There are no specific medicines or antibiotics used to treat viral meningitis.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include fever, headache, stiff neck, and fatigue. A rash, sore throat and intestinal symptoms may also occur. Symptoms usually occur within one week of exposure. The incubation period will correspond with the type of virus causing the condition and its specific incubation period. Active illness seldom exceeds 10 days.

How is it spread?

The "meningitis" portion of the disease is not infectious or communicable from person to person. The virus and the initial infection, such as hand, foot and mouth disease, is infectious. A number of different viruses are capable of causing viral meningitis, so the manner in which the virus is spread depends upon the type of virus. Some are shed in the faeces of people, while others are spread through respiratory and nasal discharges. Some of these enteroviruses are contagious but most people exposed experience mild symptoms associated with the main disease or no symptoms at all. Most people are exposed to these viruses at some time in their lives but very few ever develop meningitis.

What are the precautions?

Hand washing is the best prevention. Since most of these viruses are passed in the stool, people diagnosed with viral meningitis should be instructed to thoroughly wash their hands after using the toilet. Strict isolation of a viral meningitis patient is not necessary.

For more information please contact Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456.