What Is Aseptic Meningitis?
Meningitis is a medically used term to refer to the inflammation of tissues around the brain and the spinal cord. This inflammation is due to the abnormalities of fluid and the membranes present in these regions, whose main function is to keep the brain and spinal cord safe from external physical damage.
Meningitis can be caused as a result of bacterial infection, and this condition is referred to as bacterial meningitis. But when these inflammations are caused due to factors that are different from bacterial infections, then it is called aseptic meningitis. Aseptic meningitis is mainly caused by viruses, and hence, this condition is also called viral meningitis.
Compared to bacterial meningitis, aseptic meningitis is very common, but its symptoms are less severe than bacterial meningitis. So, there are very few serious complications of aseptic meningitis, and for most people, it usually takes less than 14 days to recover from the onset of symptoms.
What Are the Various Causes of Aseptic Meningitis?
As mentioned earlier, aseptic meningitis is mainly caused by viruses, and hence they are very common during particular seasons of the year, such as in early fall and late summer. Some of the most common viruses that can cause aseptic meningitis are:
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Measles.
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West Nile.
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Herpes simplex.
Also, it is a very well-known fact that viral infection or viruses can spread easily from one person to another through different ways such as:
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Person’s saliva.
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Sneezing or cough droplets.
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Sharing food.
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Mosquito bites.
Apart from these, there are also some rare cases where other medical conditions might lead to aseptic meningitis. They are:
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Fungal infections.
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Lyme diseases.
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Inflammatory diseases.
The severity and the rate of development of aseptic meningitis (from a very rapid spread (within 2 to 3 days) to gradual contact (through several weeks)) might vary based on the causative factor behind it.
What Are the Symptoms of Aseptic Meningitis?
In some cases, aseptic meningitis does not exhibit any initial symptoms, and they start to occur only after it has run its course. Also, the symptoms of aseptic meningitis might vary based on the type of virus or the medical condition that is responsible for causing it. But some of the most common and usual symptoms of aseptic meningitis are:
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Chills.
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Stomach ache.
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Body ache.
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Loss of appetite.
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Painful headache.
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Fatigue.
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Photophobia – a condition where the person is afraid or sensitive to lights.
In the case of infants and toddlers, a parent should be able to observe the following symptoms,
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Poor eating.
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Fever.
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Crying continuously and being irritable.
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Sleepiness and not waking up active after sleep.
As discussed earlier, aseptic meningitis is very common, but it does not pose any severe symptoms, and in the majority of cases, it is possible to recover even without medications. The symptoms of aseptic meningitis are very similar to that of the common cold, hence many people are not aware of this condition unless a doctor confirms it. But, on the other hand, bacterial meningitis has some serious symptoms and might also be life-threatening when not treated.
It is important to reach out to a doctor if there are any symptoms in children, as it might lead to severe complications when left untreated. During the early stages, the doctor will require a medical examination to determine the exact cause of the condition and the type of meningitis present. Hence do not take these symptoms lightly and reach out to your doctor for proper monitoring and diagnosis.
What Are the Risk Factors of Aseptic Meningitis?
Aseptic meningitis is caused by viruses, and hence it can occur to anyone. But through constant studies, it has been found that the group of the population that is being affected most by this condition are children below 5 years of age. Though there are vaccines to prevent the child from bacterial meningitis, they are not effective against viral or aseptic meningitis.
There are high chances for the virus to spread from one child to another when the child is attending daycare or school. Also, adults who are working in these facilities have more risk of getting aseptic meningitis.
It has also been identified that people who have other conditions that compromise the immune system of the body, such as AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) or diabetes, are at a higher risk compared to those who do not have them.
How Is Aseptic Meningitis Diagnosed?
As mentioned earlier, if the doctor suspects meningitis based on your symptoms, he will perform some tests in order to identify whether it is bacterial or viral meningitis.
The only effective test that is definitive in diagnosing the type of meningitis is the spinal tap. This involves the extraction of cerebrospinal fluid from the spine. This spinal fluid is present around the brain and spinal cord in order to protect them.
During the test, if there is an increased level of protein and high white blood cell count, then it indicates meningitis. With the help of other tests, such as CT scans (computed tomography), blood tests, and x- rays, this fluid also helps to identify the underlying causative factor such as a virus, bacteria, or other infectious agents.
How Is Aseptic Meningitis Treated?
The exact treatment of aseptic meningitis is purely based on the causative agent that is responsible for the condition. In the majority of aseptic meningitis cases, recovery happens within 2 weeks as well as does not require any medical treatment.
Management methods might be suggested by the doctors based on the symptoms. Proper rest and having an adequate amount of water and fluids are important to recover. Anti-inflammatory and analgesics medications (the substance reducing pain) may be given by the doctor to reduce the pain and fever. If the virus that is responsible for the condition is treatable, like in herpes, then the doctor will also give medications for the condition as well.
Conclusion:
Very rare cases of aseptic meningitis have ended up causing long-term illness; otherwise, it is a very manageable condition that requires very minimal or no medical intervention. Though there is no vaccine for aseptic meningitis, it is important to vaccinate your child against common viruses that might lead to aseptic meningitis, such as chickenpox, measles, and mumps. Also, make sure proper hygiene habits are followed to minimize the chances of getting infections from other people.