Aseptic Meningitis

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is meningitis? " пїЅ Meningitis is a condition that can cause a fever, headache, and stiff neck. Meningitis happens when the lining that covers the brain and spinal cord (called the "meninges " пїЅ) gets inflamed or infected. пїЅ пїЅ

An infection of the meninges can happen after a person gets an infection in another part of the body. The germs can travel through the blood to the lining of the brain and spinal cord. пїЅ пїЅ

There are 2 main types of meningitis: пїЅ пїЅ

Bacterial meningitis
Aseptic meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria. Aseptic meningitis is not. Its important for doctors to find out which kind of meningitis a person has, because bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. It can lead to brain problems or even death. пїЅ пїЅ

Aseptic meningitis is serious, but not usually as serious as bacterial meningitis. People usually recover from aseptic meningitis without any long-term problems. пїЅ пїЅ

Both aseptic and bacterial meningitis can have the same symptoms. So the only way a doctor can know for sure which type of meningitis someone has is to do tests in the hospital. пїЅ пїЅ

This article discusses aseptic meningitis. пїЅ пїЅ

What causes aseptic meningitis? " пїЅ Viruses cause most cases of aseptic meningitis. But other things can also cause aseptic meningitis, including: пїЅ пїЅ

Germs that are not bacteria or viruses
Medicines " пїЅ Aseptic meningitis can be a rare side effect of certain medicines.

Also, people who have advanced cancer can get aseptic meningitis if their cancer spreads to their meninges. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of aseptic meningitis? " пїЅ Common symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Fever
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Stiff neck " пїЅ This is most often seen in children and adults. Babies might not get a stiff neck.
Having light bother a person's eyes

Babies can also have other symptoms, including: пїЅ пїЅ

Not feeding well
Being more sleepy or fussy than usual
A bulging soft spot on the skull

People can have other symptoms, too, depending on what's causing the infection. For example, people whose aseptic meningitis is caused by a virus can also have a rash, diarrhea, runny nose, or sore throat. A rash can also happen with bacterial meningitis. пїЅ пїЅ

Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Yes. If you have a fever, headache, and stiff neck, go to the emergency room right away. If you think your child has meningitis, bring him or her to the emergency room right away. пїЅ пїЅ

It's very important to go to the hospital if you think you or your child has meningitis. That's because the only way a doctor can tell for sure that someone has aseptic meningitis " пїЅ and not life-threatening bacterial meningitis " пїЅ is to do tests in the hospital. пїЅ пїЅ

Will I need tests? " пїЅ Yes. The doctor or nurse will learn about your symptoms and do an exam. He or she will do tests to look for the cause of your meningitis. These tests can include 1 or more of the following: пїЅ пїЅ

Blood tests
A lumbar puncture (sometimes called a "spinal tap " пїЅ) " пїЅ During this procedure, a doctor puts a thin needle into your lower back and takes out a small amount of spinal fluid. Spinal fluid is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. He or she will do lab tests on the spinal fluid.
A CT scan of the brain " пїЅ This is an imaging test that creates pictures of the brain.
Other tests " пїЅ For example, the doctor can use a cotton swab to collect a sample from the back of the throat. Then he or she can do lab tests on the sample.

How is aseptic meningitis treated? " пїЅ Treatment for aseptic meningitis usually includes: пїЅ пїЅ

Resting
Drinking fluids or getting fluids into your vein through a tube called an "IV " пїЅ
Taking an over-the-counter medicine to treat a fever or headache

Aseptic meningitis is NOT treated with antibiotic medicines. That's because antibiotics only treat infections caused by bacteria. пїЅ пїЅ

Your doctor might recommend other treatments, depending on what's causing the meningitis. Certain viruses and other germs can be treated with medicines. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 16954 Version 5.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Aseptic Meningitis

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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