Viral meningitis is caused by various viruses, most commonly the "enteroviruses". Enteroviruses can be spread by direct contact with saliva or mucus of an infected person, but most frequently is spread to others by contact with feces, especially among small children who are not toilet trained and to adults who change diapers of an infected infant. The virus may be present in the feces of an infected person for weeks.

Symptoms of viral meningitis may include: sudden headache, fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and eye sensitivity to bright light. In infants, symptoms may include irritability, refusal to eat and difficulty waking.

Viral meningitis is not highly contagious but is cause for concern. Individuals with symptoms should seek medical care to rule out a more serious type of meningitis caused by a bacteria. There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Bed rest, drinking fluids and medicine to relieve fever and headache are the usual treatments. In some cases, individuals may be hospitalized.

Viral meningitis should not be confused with the more serious infection Neisseria meningitides (the meningococcus) which is a bacterium and can cause serious consequences and sometimes death. Symptoms of this bacterium are similar to viral meningitis. Neisseria meningitis often presents with a skin rash of small, bright, red spots or a large, reddish-purple "bruise".

Bacterial meningococcal disease is treated with antibiotics. People who have had close contact with individuals with this disease are also treated. There is a vaccine available to prevent the most common type of meningococcal disease. In Maryland, vaccination of all college students who live on-campus in a dormitory is required.

To prevent viral meningitis avoid sharing things that may have another person’s saliva on them, such as eating utensils, drinking containers, and cigarettes. In settings like child care centers, washing objects and surfaces with a dilute bleach solution (1½ cups of household bleach mixed with one gallon of water) can be a very effective way to destroy the virus.

For more information about these diseases, visit the health department web site at www.smchd.org and click on services and then health services. For a fact sheet on both diseases visit the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on the web at www.edcp.org.