how to know if you have viral meningitis?
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Viral meningitis usually begins with symptoms of a viral infection, such as fever, a general feeling of illness (malaise), cough, muscle aches, vomiting, loss of appetite, and headache. However, occasionally, people have no symptoms at first.
1334967
['common cold symptoms (runny or stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, cough),', 'headache,', 'joint pain,', 'nausea,', 'fever,', 'infections of the nose and throat,', 'tiredness,', 'fatigue,']
1446806
Most people who get mild viral meningitis usually recover completely in 7 to 10 days without treatment.
636650
Patients with aseptic meningitis often present with classic meningeal symptoms, including fever, neck pain or stiffness, photophobia, headache, nausea or vomiting and perhaps altered mental status although this is NOT a prominent feature of viral meningitis, the most common cause of aseptic meningitis.
405050
A. Viral meningitis is the more common and less serious form -- it usually clears up on its own in seven to 10 days. Bacterial meningitis is much more dangerous and can be fatal if not treated quickly with antibiotics. Most cases are caused by three different types of bacteria.
780896
Usually, noninfectious meningitis causes symptoms that are similar to those of bacterial meningitis but are milder and may develop more slowly. Symptoms include headache, a stiff neck, and often fever. When the neck becomes stiff, lowering the chin to chest becomes painful. Most people recover in 1 to 2 weeks.
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Symptoms of the virus can include rash, fever, nausea, body aches, tiredness, headache, and vomiting. There is no cure for an infection. Treatment may include IV fluids and pain medications.
719640
Children between the ages of 1 month and 2 years are the most susceptible to bacterial meningitis. Adults with certain risk factors are also susceptible. You are at higher risk if you abuse alcohol, have chronic nose and ear infections, sustain a head injury or get pneumococcal pneumonia.
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['a mild high temperature (fever)', 'a headache.', 'muscle aches.', 'vomiting.', 'a rash.']
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Doctors suspect viral meningitis based on symptoms and do a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to confirm the diagnosis. If people appear very ill, they are treated for bacterial meningitis until that diagnosis is ruled out.
78627
['Sudden high fever.', 'Stiff neck.', 'Severe headache that seems different than normal.', 'Headache with nausea or vomiting.', 'Confusion or difficulty concentrating.', 'Seizures.', 'Sleepiness or difficulty waking.', 'Sensitivity to light.']
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Viral Meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and most people get better on their own (without treatment).
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When to Call Your Doctor You have mono symptoms for longer than 10 days or you have a severe sore throat for more than a day or two. Your doctor will want to rule out other illnesses, such as strep throat. You have a severe headache that won't go away and a stiff neck, which might be signs of meningitis.
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['Fever.', 'Facial pain or numbness.', 'Facial swelling.', 'Cough.', 'Nasal discharge.', 'Headache.', 'Mental status changes.', 'Dark ulcers within the nasal canal or on the roof of the mouth.']
45347
You may have headaches that come and go for up to 2 weeks. In rare cases, what looks like viral meningitis may turn out to be early bacterial meningitis. That's why it's important to be rechecked. Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms get worse or new symptoms appear.
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Viral meningitis presents with similar symptoms to bacterial meningitis such as fever, headache, dislike of lights and neck stiffness. It can present with a rash, but this is normally quite different to the rash seen in bacterial meningitis with meningococcal disease. Viral meningitis is almost never life-threatening.
338481
['Fever.', 'Headache.', 'Sensitivity to light.', 'Fatigue.']