Aseptic meningitis

Alternative names:

serous meningitis

Definition:

An illness characterized by headache, fever, and inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis). The illness is usually mild and runs its course without treatment; however, some cases can be severe and life-threatening.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Coxsackie and echovirus, types of enterovirus, account for about half the cases of aseptic meningitis. Other enteroviruses and mumps are additional causes. The incidence of these infections increases in the summer and early fall. Enterovirus is spread by hand-to-mouth contact and to a lesser extent by respiratory and fecal routes. Mumps is spread by respiratory secretions, with increased incidence in the spring.

Some viruses may cause a severe meningitis and, like bacterial meningitis, can produce permanent neurological deficits such as seizures, motor abnormalities, and mental retardation. Herpes virus, both type 1 (herpes simplex or herpes labialis) and type 2 (genital herpes) can cause meningitis in children and especially infants. Rabies virus causes both an inflammation of the brain and meninges or a meningoencephalitis.