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Viral Meningitis

By

John E. Greenlee

, MD, University of Utah Health

Reviewed/Revised Nov 2022
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Viral meningitis tends to be less severe than acute bacterial meningitis. Findings include headache, fever, and nuchal rigidity. Diagnosis is by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Treatment is with supportive measures, acyclovir for suspected herpes simplex, and antiretroviral drugs for suspected HIV infection.

Viral meningitis is sometimes used synonymously with aseptic meningitis. However, aseptic meningitis usually refers to acute meningitis caused by anything other than the bacteria that typically cause acute bacterial meningitis. Thus, aseptic meningitis can be caused by viruses, noninfectious conditions (eg, drugs, disorders), fungi, or, occasionally, other organisms (eg, Borrelia burgdorferi in Lyme disease, Treponema pallidum in syphilis).

Unlike bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis usually spares the brain parenchyma. (Parenchyma is affected in viral encephalitis or meningoencephalitis.)

Causes of Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis usually results from hematogenous spread, but meningitis due to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) or varicella-zoster virus can also result from reactivation of latent infection. Recurrent attacks of viral meningitis in women are usually due to HSV-2.

The most common cause of viral meningitis is

  • Enteroviruses

Table

Symptoms and Signs of Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis, like acute bacterial meningitis Symptoms and Signs Acute bacterial meningitis is rapidly progressive bacterial infection of the meninges and subarachnoid space. Findings typically include headache, fever, and nuchal rigidity. Diagnosis is by... read more , usually begins with symptoms that suggest viral infection (eg, fever, myalgias, gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms), followed by symptoms and signs of meningitis (headache, fever, nuchal rigidity). Manifestations tend to resemble those of bacterial meningitis but are usually less severe (eg, nuchal rigidity may be less pronounced). However, findings are sometimes severe enough to suggest acute bacterial meningitis. Because brain parenchyma is spared, delirium, confusion, seizures, and focal or global neurologic deficits are absent.

Diagnosis of Viral Meningitis

  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis (cell count, protein, glucose)

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of CSF and sometimes IgM

  • Sometimes PCR and/or culture of blood, a throat swab, nasopharyngeal secretions, or stool

Diagnosis of viral meningitis is based on analysis of CSF obtained by lumbar puncture Lumbar puncture Acute bacterial meningitis is rapidly progressive bacterial infection of the meninges and subarachnoid space. Findings typically include headache, fever, and nuchal rigidity. Diagnosis is by... read more (preceded by neuroimaging if increased intracranial pressure or a mass is suspected). Typically, protein is slightly increased but less than that in acute bacterial meningitis (eg, < 150 mg/dL); however, the protein level can be very high in West Nile virus meningitis West Nile Virus West Nile virus is a flavivirus that is now the primary cause of arbovirus encephalitis in the United States. Most patients have mild or no symptoms. About 1 out of 150 patients develop a severe... read more . Glucose is usually normal or only slightly lower than normal. Other findings include pleocytosis with a lymphocytic predominance. Nonetheless, no combination of findings in CSF cells, protein, and glucose can rule out bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is eventually ruled out if no bacteria grow in CSF cultures. However, if a patient with bacterial meningitis took antibiotics (ie, was partially treated) before blood cultures and lumbar puncture, CSF findings may resemble those of viral meningitis; thus, if patients were partially treated, empirical antibiotic treatment for bacterial meningitis may be warranted even though viral meningitis is suspected.

CSF viral culture is insensitive and not routinely done. PCR can be used to detect some viruses in CSF (enteroviruses Overview of Enterovirus Infections Enteroviruses, along with rhinoviruses (see Common Cold) and human parechoviruses, are a genus of picornaviruses (pico, or small, RNA viruses). All enteroviruses are antigenically heterogeneous... read more and herpes simplex Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections Herpes simplex viruses (human herpesviruses types 1 and 2) commonly cause recurrent infection affecting the skin, mouth, lips, eyes, and genitals. Common severe infections include encephalitis... read more Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections , herpes zoster Herpes Zoster Herpes zoster is infection that results when varicella-zoster virus reactivates from its latent state in a posterior dorsal root ganglion. Symptoms usually begin with pain along the affected... read more Herpes Zoster , West Nile West Nile Virus West Nile virus is a flavivirus that is now the primary cause of arbovirus encephalitis in the United States. Most patients have mild or no symptoms. About 1 out of 150 patients develop a severe... read more viruses); a multiplex film-array PCR panel can be used to rapidly screen for multiple bacteria and viruses. Measurement of IgM in CSF is more sensitive than PCR in diagnosing suspected West Nile virus or other arboviruses Overview of Arbovirus, Arenavirus, and Filovirus Infections Arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) is defined as any virus that is transmitted to humans and/or other vertebrates by certain species of blood-feeding arthropods, mostly insects (flies and mosquitoes)... read more .

Viral serologic tests, PCR, or culture of samples taken from other areas (eg, blood, a throat swab, nasopharyngeal secretions, stool) may help identify the causative virus.

Pearls & Pitfalls

  • If patients appear seriously ill, treat them for acute bacterial meningitis until it is ruled out, even if the cause is suspected to be viral.

Treatment of Viral Meningitis

  • Supportive measures

  • Acyclovir (for suspected herpes simplex or herpes zoster) and antiretroviral drugs (for HIV infection)

If patients appear seriously ill and if acute bacterial seems possible (even if viral meningitis is suspected), appropriate antibiotics and corticosteroids are started immediately (without waiting for test results) and continued until bacterial meningitis is ruled out (ie, no bacteria grow in CSF cultures).

Key Points

  • Viral meningitis begins with symptoms typical of a viral illness, followed by headache, fever, and nuchal rigidity, but is rarely as severe as acute bacterial meningitis.

  • Enteroviruses are the most common cause, usually causing infection during summer or early autumn.

  • CSF findings (usually lymphocytic pleocytosis, near normal glucose, and slightly increased protein) cannot exclude acute bacterial meningitis.

  • Treat patients for acute bacterial meningitis until that diagnosis is ruled out.

  • Treatment is mainly supportive; patients with herpes simplex or herpes zoster meningitis may be treated with acyclovir.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Sitavig, Zovirax, Zovirax Cream, Zovirax Ointment, Zovirax Powder, Zovirax Suspension
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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