From the Guidelines
Viral meningitis can spread to close contacts, but the risk is relatively low. The mode of transmission is primarily through direct contact with respiratory secretions, stool, or saliva from an infected person, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your face 1. To minimize the risk of transmission, it is essential to practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding sharing utensils or drinking containers, covering coughs and sneezes, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. Some key points to consider include:
- The viruses that cause viral meningitis are contagious, but most people who are exposed to these viruses don't develop meningitis, even though they might get infected with the virus 1.
- Viral meningitis typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days without specific treatment, though symptoms like headache, fever, and neck stiffness can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- If you've been in close contact with someone diagnosed with viral meningitis, it is crucial to monitor yourself for symptoms such as severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, nausea, or vomiting, and seek medical attention if these develop 1. The treatment of viral meningitis is generally supportive, with a focus on relieving symptoms and managing any complications that may arise, as there are currently no treatments of proven benefit for most causes of viral meningitis 1.
From the Research
Viral Meningitis Transmission
- Viral meningitis is caused by various viruses, including enteroviruses, arboviruses, and herpes simplex virus 2.
- The transmission of viral meningitis to close contacts is possible, as enteroviruses, which account for 85 to 95% of all cases of aseptic meningitis, can be spread through direct contact with an infected person's respiratory secretions, such as saliva, sputum, or mucus 2.
- Other viruses that can cause meningitis, such as herpes simplex virus, can also be transmitted through close contact with an infected person 3, 4, 5.
Prevention and Diagnosis
- Effective vaccines are available for some viruses that can cause meningitis, such as Japanese encephalitis, Tick-borne encephalitis, and varicella zoster viruses 5.
- Molecular diagnostic techniques and serologies have become more readily available worldwide, allowing for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of viral meningitis and encephalitis 4, 5.
- Prompt initiation of treatment for viruses with available antiviral therapies, such as herpes simplex virus, can help reduce the duration and severity of the illness 3, 5.
Epidemiology and Treatment
- Viral meningitis is becoming relatively more important as bacterial meningitis declines in incidence, and molecular diagnostics are increasingly being used 4.
- Despite improvements in diagnostics, many cases of viral meningitis still remain without a proven viral etiology identified, and there are no established treatments for most cases of viral meningitis 4.
- Further research is required into treatments for viral meningitis and the impact of longer-term sequelae 4.