What is Meningitis?

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is inflamation of the membranes enclosing the brain and spinal cord. It is usually a bacterial disease marked by these characteristics. -- Courtesy of Merriam-Webster Dictionary


Biloxi Student Has Viral Meningitis
SUN HERALD (Aug. 25) @ www.sunherald.com
BILOXI -- A student at Biloxi Junior High School has been diagnosed with viral meningitis, district officials said Monday. ...


Question: What is Viral Meningitis?
Posted at backandneck.about.com
Of the two types of spinal meningitis, viral meningitis is the easier and less damaging.

Answer: Viral meningitisis an infection to the membranes and fluids of the brain.

Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, causing between 25,000 and 50,000 hospital visits per year, according to the Center for Disease Control. Generally bouts of viral meningitis last between a week and 10 days, and tend to resolve on their own. Doctors recommend treating viral meningitis just as you would a flu, i.e.:

1. bed rest
2. drink lots of fluids
3. take medicine for fever and headache

About 90% of viral meningitis cases are caused by the enterovirus. The enterovirus is especially active in the summer and early fall. Yes, viral meningitis (and bacterial meningitis) is (are) contagious.

Viral meningitis is also caused by the mumps and the herpes virus.