28 Devastating Infectious Diseases

Is Meningitis Contagious?

NORFOLK, Va. — According to the CDC, meningitis is "an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord."

There are two primary types of meningitis: bacterial and viral, both are contagious.

The CDC said bacterial meningitis is caused by germs that spread from person to person. Viral meningitis spreads primarily through contact with someone whohas viral meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis is considered more contagious. The virus responsible for viral meningitis does not always result in development of viral meningitis.

Coast Live

The importance of meningitis vaccinations in young adults on Coast Live

Coast Live

12:18 PM, Jan 15, 2020

According to the CDC, bacterial meningitis can be deadly and requires immediate medical attention. Bacterial meningitis can be prepared for with vaccines.

Viral meningitis is considered less severe and people with normal immune systems can usually get better on their own.

Virginia Health officials are currently responding to a statewide disease outbreak that has been ongoing since June 2022.

On Monday, Francis Asbury Elementary School families were informed that a student died from meningitis.

For more information on Meningitis, visit the CDC's website.

Kurt Williams details the impact of faith & hope when facing cancer

Kurt Williams

6:07 AM, Mar 27, 2024

'She was gone:' Hampton woman shares story of sister's fatal overdose

Erika Craven

9:34 PM, Mar 23, 2024

Hampton woman hopes to find living kidney donor

Erika Craven

12:34 AM, Mar 23, 2024

One man's remarkable health journey: Over 100 lbs. Down

Jen Lewis

5:27 AM, Mar 22, 2024

Kurt Williams makes a treatment choice for his prostate cancer

Kurt Williams

5:12 AM, Mar 21, 2024

Enjoy a day full of activities with your family at Deep Creek Park

Patrick Rockey

7:45 PM, Mar 20, 2024

Sentara staff, Va. Parents talk support as infant mortality rate rises in U.S.

Erika Craven

5:34 AM, Mar 20, 2024

'I can't bring him back:' Norfolk inmate dies, family shares gravity of loss

Jay Greene

11:42 PM, Mar 15, 2024

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

What To Know About Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is a common type of meningitis that occurs due to a virus. It causes inflammation in the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and brain.

While anyone can get viral meningitis, young children and people with weaker immune systems face a higher risk.

Most individuals fully recover from mild cases without treatment, but more severe meningitis can cause serious complications.

Some cases can be fatal. Viral meningitis can have similar symptoms to bacterial meningitis, which can be severe and require immediate treatment.

This article reviews viral meningitis, including its symptoms, complications, causes, risk factors, and treatment options.

Symptoms can differ between age groups. Sometimes, it can be challenging to recognize viral meningitis symptoms in babies.

Signs of meningitis in babies can include:

fever

difficulty waking up from sleep

low energy

a refusal to eat

irritability or crying often

Symptoms in children and adults could include:

These symptoms could appear rapidly.

Most people recover from viral meningitis on their own. However, in some severe cases, the disease can cause complications including:

high fever

neurological impairments, which can affect how the brain or nervous system functions

inflammation of the brain, heart, or their surrounding tissues

paralysis

death

Learn more about the long-term effects of meningitis.

If a person or their child is experiencing viral meningitis symptoms, they should contact a doctor right away.

While most people recover from viral meningitis on their own, some can develop severe illness.

Viral and bacterial meningitis also have some similar symptoms, and bacterial meningitis is a serious condition that can quickly result in death.

A doctor will be able to diagnose the disease and offer treatment options.

Viral meningitis most commonly results from nonpolio enteroviruses. These viruses can cause a wide variety of infections, though they do tend to be mild.

Enteroviruses that could cause meningitis include:

A person cannot get viral meningitis from another someone else. Instead, they can catch the enterovirus that causes the disease. However, this does not always mean they will also develop viral meningitis.

Enteroviruses can spread in different ways. For example, some can spread by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after touching the feces of someone with a virus or a surface with the virus.

Others spread through contact with the eye, nose, or mouth fluids of someone with an infection. Mosquitos can also transmit viruses, like the West Nile virus.

Many individuals recover from mild viral meningitis on their own within 7–10 days.

Treatment usually involves supportive care. Management could include medication to address the underlying virus and medications to relieve symptoms.

A doctor may prescribe antibiotics until they can rule out bacterial meningitis.

More severe cases may require hospitalization.

The outlook for viral meningitis is generally good, but it can cause serious complications and death in some cases.

For mild cases, most individuals recover within a few days. Older children and infants can recover fully, even though their sickness could last longer than one week.

Adults usually experience more mild disease than children. Newborns and people with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of developing more severe cases, which could be life threatening.

Prevention strategies tend to focus on avoiding an enterovirus infection in the first instance.

Enteroviruses spread in different ways. General prevention strategies include:

thoroughly washing the hands, particularly after diaper changes or using the bathroom

not touching the face without washing hands first

avoiding mosquito and insect bites

vaccination from certain viruses

staying home when sick

disinfecting commonly touched surfaces

avoiding close contact with people who are ill

avoiding kissing or sharing utensils, drinks, and other items when ill

Viral and bacterial meningitis can cause similar symptoms. However, a bacterial infection causes bacterial meningitis. It is often severe and always requires immediate treatment.

Bacterial meningitis can quickly result in serious complications. Most people recover, but some can experience long-term effects, such as hearing loss, vision loss, learning difficulties, and brain damage.

Some cases of meningitis can be fatal, so if anyone has symptoms, they should not delay seeking treatment.

Learn more about the difference between both.

Viral meningitis is a common kind of meningitis, which causes inflammation of the membrane surrounding the spinal cord and brain. It can result from infection with certain enteroviruses, like measles, influenza, herpesviruses, and others.

It commonly affects younger children but can develop in anyone. Infants and people with compromised immune systems have a higher chance of being sick with severe disease.

Most individuals recover from mild cases without treatment, but more serious cases can cause serious complications and require hospitalization.

A person should contact a doctor immediately if they or a child experiences symptoms. Viral and bacterial meningitis have many similar symptoms, and bacterial meningitis can quickly lead to death.

Meningitis - Know The Differences Between Viral And Bacterial

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The most common germs that cause meningitis are viruses and bacteria, making up the two forms of the disease - viral meningitis, which affects around 5000 people per year, as opposed to around 3400 bacterial cases per year.

Bacterial meningitis is a severe disease that needs urgent medical attention, but the symptoms of viral meningitis can be very similar. It's important to get a diagnosis quickly, which can be done via a lumbar puncture (fluid taken from the base of the spine), which you'll be able to get at hospital.

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis and, although rarely life-threatening, it can make people very unwell. Many people who have experienced viral meningitis feel that they are dismissed as having the 'milder' form of meningitis and that very little is understood about the recovery and after-effects.

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening and needs urgent medical attention. Most people who suffer from bacterial meningitis recover, but a third of survivors will be left with life-changing after-effects including deafness, epilepsy and learning difficulties and one in ten will die.

Rash

While you may notice a rash with viral meningitis, a rash is usually associated with bacterial meningitis. A rash that does not fade under pressure (often a glass is used to test this) is a sign of meningococcal septicaemia. It is normally referred to as the meningitis rash.

More like this

If someone is ill and getting worse do not wait for a rash, it can appear late or not at all. A fever with spots or a rash that does not fade under pressure is a medical emergency.

The Meningitis Trust says you should "trust your instinct, if you're concerned go straight to the hospital, call an ambulance or speak to your GP."

Above are the signs to look out for. Download a printable version here.

---