LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Meningitis: Viral
built 630 days ago
Meningitis is often caused by a virus. The virus is usually the same one that causes other viral infections such as mumps (see mumps entry), measles (see measles entry), chickenpox (see chickenpox entry), rabies (see rabies entry), and herpes infections (like cold sores; see herpes infections entry).
Source:
A number of different viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common form, but fortunately is less severe than the bacterial type. However, it can still be serious and very rarely, can progress from headache, fever and drowsiness, to deep coma.
Source:
The most important test used to diagnose meningitis is the lumbar puncture (commonly called a spinal tap). Lumbar puncture (LP) involves the insertion of a thin needle into a space between the vertebrae in the lower back and the withdrawal of a small amount of CSF. The CSF is then examined under a microscope to look for bacteria or fungi. Normal CSF contains set percentages of glucose and protein. These percentages will vary with bacterial, viral, or other causes of meningitis. For example, bacterial meningitis causes a greatly lower than normal percentage of glucose to be present in CSF, as the bacteria are essentially "eating" the host's glucose, and using it for their own nutrition and energy production.
Source:
Aseptic meningitis syndrome: Aseptic meningitis is the most common infectious syndrome affecting the CNS. Most episodes are caused by a viral pathogen, but they can ... be caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites (see Table 3). Importantly, partially treated bacterial meningitis accounts for a large number of meningitis cases with a negative microbiologic workup.
Source:
Some viral meningitis results in a rash that may cover most of the body or just the arms and the legs. The rash is red and flat, though it may be raised in some areas. It is not the same as the rash in meningococcal meningitis, which is small, with pinpoint bright red spots covering most of the body.
Source:
Bacterial meningitis is rare, but is usually serious and can be life-threatening if it's not treated right away. Viral meningitis (... called aseptic meningitis) is relatively common and far less serious. It often remains undiagnosed because its symptoms can be similar to those of the common flu.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Viral