What Is Viral Meningitis?

By kyle

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. “Viral Meningitis, the Facts.” Meningitis Now, July 2020, Viral_meningitis_fact_sheet_july 2020.pdf, meningitisnow.org
• 2. “Viral Meningitis.” Logan, S. A., & MacMahon, E. (2008). BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 336(7634), 36–40. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39409.673657.AE
• 3. “Viral Meningitis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/meningitis/viral.html

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5. What Are the Symptoms of Viral Meningitis?

Viral meningitis often goes unreported because most people who contract it don’t know they have it. Although reactions to the inflammation can vary, the classic symptoms of viral meningitis in children and adults are fever, headache, neck stiffness, and light sensitivity.²“Viral Meningitis.” Logan, S. A., & MacMahon, E. (2008). BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 336(7634), 36–40. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39409.673657.AE Other symptoms may include rash, sore throat, lethargy, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and irritability.

Age may also impact symptoms. Adults may not experience neck stiffness or light sensitivity.²“Viral Meningitis.” Logan, S. A., & MacMahon, E. (2008). BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 336(7634), 36–40. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39409.673657.AE In young children, sometimes the only symptoms are fever and irritability. Infants may experience lethargy, sleepiness, irritability, fever, and poor eating.³“Viral Meningitis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/meningitis/viral.html Fatigue and weakness often accompany this infection, as well.