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Viral meningitis, also known as aseptic meningitis, is a type of meningitis due to a viral infection. It results in inflammation of the meninges (the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord ).
Meningitis can be life-threatening because of the inflammation's proximity to the brain and spinal cord; therefore, the condition is classified as a medical emergency. [2] [8] A lumbar puncture, in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canal to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), can diagnose or exclude meningitis. [1] [8]
Viral meningitis is “almost never life-threatening”, while the third kind – fungal meningitis – is serious but very rare in the UK and Ireland. It tends to only affect people with weakened ...
One potentially life-threatening example is meningitis, which can cause chills with or without a fever, along with symptoms like a stiff neck, sensitivity to light and sound, and lethargy.
Meningococcal disease causes life-threatening meningitis and sepsis conditions. In the case of meningitis, bacteria attack the lining between the brain and skull called the meninges. Infected fluid from the meninges then passes into the spinal cord, causing symptoms including stiff neck, fever and rashes.
The charity Meningitis Now also called on members of the public to educate themselves on the signs and symptoms of the illness, and to “act swiftly” if meningitis is suspected.
In newborns the picture may be that of sepsis, however, and can be severe and life-threatening. Enteroviruses are by far the most common causes of aseptic meningitis in children. In the United States, enteroviruses are responsible for 30,000 to 50,000 meningitis hospitalizations per year as a result of 10–15 million infections. [48]
Kent suffered from viral meningitis at age 19 during her time as a student at San Diego State University. Neither Kent nor her parents knew much about meningitis or the available vaccine at the time.