Most people become infected when they inhale dust or eat food contaminated with the urine, feces, or another body fluid of an infected mouse or hamster.
Most people with lymphocytic choriomeningitis have no or mild symptoms, but some have a flu-like illness, and a few develop meningitis or a brain infection.
To diagnose lymphocytic choriomeningitis, doctors do a spinal tap and blood tests to check for the virus.
Treatment aims to relieve symptoms, but if people have meningitis or a brain infection, they are hospitalized and may be given an antiviral drug.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is caused by an arenavirus Arenaviruses Arbovirus, arenavirus, and filovirus are viruses that are spread from animals to people and, with some viruses, from people to people. The animal involved depends on the type of virus. Many... read more and is spread by rodents. Usually, people become infected when they inhale dust or eat food contaminated with the urine, feces, or another body fluid of an infected hamster or gray house mouse. When lymphocytic choriomeningitis is transmitted by mice, it occurs mainly in adults during the autumn and winter.
Symptoms of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
Most people with lymphocytic choriomeningitis have no or mild symptoms.
Symptoms, if they occur, develop about 1 to 2 weeks after people are infected.
Some people have a flu-like illness, with fever, chills, a general feeling of illness (malaise), weakness, muscle aches (especially in the lower back), and pain behind the eyes. People may be sensitive to light, lose their appetite, and feel nauseated or light-headed. Sore throat occurs less often.
After 5 days to 3 weeks, people usually improve for 1 or 2 days. Many of them then worsen. Fever and headache return, and a rash may appear. The joints of the fingers and hands may swell. Infection may spread to the salivary glands (causing mumps Mumps Mumps is a contagious viral infection that causes painful enlargement of the salivary glands. The infection may also affect the testes, brain, and pancreas, especially in adults. Mumps is caused... read more 
) and to the testes.
In a few people, the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges) become infected (called meningitis Viral Meningitis Viral meningitis is inflammation of the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges) and of the fluid-filled space between the meninges (subarachnoid space) when it is caused... read more ). Meningitis typically causes a stiff neck that makes lowering the chin to the chest difficult or impossible. Very few people develop a brain infection (encephalitis Encephalitis Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain that occurs when a virus directly infects the brain or when a virus, vaccine, or something else triggers inflammation. The spinal cord may also be involved... read more ), which may cause paralysis, problems with movement, or other symptoms of brain dysfunction.
If pregnant women become infected, the fetus may have problems, such as hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus is an accumulation of extra fluid in the normal spaces within the brain (ventricles) and/or between the inner and middle layers of tissues that cover the brain (the subarachnoid... read more 
(accumulation of excess fluid within the brain or meninges), chorioretinitis (an eye infection), and intellectual disability. Chorioretinitis can cause blurred vision, eye pain, sensitivity to light, and blindness. If pregnant women are infected during the 1st trimester, the fetus may die.
Diagnosis of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
A spinal tap
Blood tests and culture
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is suspected in people who have typical symptoms (especially those suggesting meningitis Viral Meningitis Viral meningitis is inflammation of the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges) and of the fluid-filled space between the meninges (subarachnoid space) when it is caused... read more or a brain infection) and who have been exposed to rodents.
If people have symptoms of meningitis, a spinal tap Spinal Tap Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a simple, painless procedure in which... read more 
(lumbar puncture) is done to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for analysis. (Cerebrospinal fluid is the fluid that flows through the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord.) A sample of cerebrospinal fluid is sent to a laboratory to be tested. For example, the virus, if present, can be grown (cultured Culture of Microorganisms Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Doctors suspect an infection based on the person's symptoms, physical examination results,... read more ) until there are enough to be identified. Or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques may be used to make many copies of the virus's genetic material. This technique enables doctors to rapidly and accurately identify the virus.
Doctors also do blood tests to check for antibodies to the virus. (Antibodies Antibodies One of the body's lines of defense ( immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more 
are proteins produced by the immune system Overview of the Immune System The immune system is designed to defend the body against foreign or dangerous invaders. Such invaders include Microorganisms (commonly called germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) Parasites... read more to help defend the body against a particular attacker, such as the virus that causes lymphocytic choriomeningitis.)
Prevention of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
Preventing exposure to the rodent urine and feces can help prevent infection. The following can help:
Before cleaning, air out closed spaces where mice have been.
Before sweeping or cleaning, wet surfaces with a bleach solution.
Avoid stirring up dust.
Seal openings where rodents could enter homes.
Put food in rodent-proof containers.
Eliminate potential nesting sites around the home.
Treatment of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
Supportive care
Sometimes ribavirin
Treatment of lymphocytic choriomeningitis focuses on relieving symptoms and maintaining vital functions. Measures needed depend on the severity of the illness.
People with meningitis Viral Meningitis Viral meningitis is inflammation of the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges) and of the fluid-filled space between the meninges (subarachnoid space) when it is caused... read more or a brain infection are hospitalized and may be treated with the antiviral drug ribavirin.
Corticosteroids are sometimes helpful.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
ribavirin |
Copegus, Moderiba, Rebetol, RibaPak, Ribasphere, Ribasphere RibaPak, RibaTab, Virazole |
