Anyone can develop aseptic meningitis. However, children under the age of 5 are at most risk of developing the condition, particularly if they go to daycare or school. Adults who work with young children in these settings are also at increased risk of developing aseptic meningitis. Symptoms of aseptic meningitis vary according to what is causing the condition. The symptoms can range in severity from so mild that a person may not even know they have it to much more serious.
Parents who think their infant may have aseptic meningitis should look out for the following signs:. Young children and infants who have aseptic meningitis tend to present with more severe symptoms than adults. Adults with aseptic meningitis may confuse their symptoms with a cold or another viral illness, whereas infants may become much sicker.
Anyone who thinks they or their child may have aseptic meningitis should seek medical care as soon as possible. However, people who experience any of the following symptoms should seek immediate medical attention to rule out another, more serious condition:. If a person is very ill, the doctor will likely recommend some further tests to help diagnose the problem, including:.
A doctor will also check the fluid for elevated protein and white blood cells, both of which indicate infection. Treatment options for aseptic meningitis vary according to its cause. Most adults and older children recover on their own within 2 weeks without any medical treatment.
Adults who work in these facilities are also at risk. People are more likely to develop meningitis if they have a condition that weakens their immune system, such as AIDS or diabetes. The symptoms of aseptic meningitis can vary due to the virus or medical condition that caused it. Aseptic meningitis is often a mild condition, and you may recover without medication or treatment. Many of the symptoms are similar to those of the common cold or flu so you may never know you had aseptic meningitis.
This makes aseptic meningitis different from bacterial meningitis, which causes severe symptoms and may be life-threatening. However, you should still seek medical treatment if you suspect you or your child has aseptic meningitis. Without a medical exam, it can be difficult to tell in the early states what type of meningitis you.
Aseptic meningitis can also cause dangerous complications. You should call your doctor as soon as possible if you or your child has any of the following symptoms:. In most cases, your doctor will perform a spinal tap. During a spinal tap your doctor will extract cerebrospinal fluid from your spine. This is the only definitive way to diagnosis meningitis. Spinal fluid is made by the brain and surrounds the brain and spinal cord to protect it.
Your spinal fluid will have high protein levels and an increased white blood cell count if you have meningitis. This fluid can also help your doctor determine whether bacteria, viruses, or other infectious agents are causing the meningitis. Your doctor may also order other tests to determine the virus that caused the aseptic meningitis.
The tests can include blood tests or imaging tests, such as X-rays and CT scans. If you suspect meningitis you should see a doctor immediately. Septic meningitis can lead to death if not diagnosed early.
Aseptic meningitis is more common and not deadly for those with healthy immune systems. Vaccinations are available to prevent the two types of bacteria that commonly cause septic meningitis.
Good hygiene practices help prevent the spread of the viruses that cause aseptic meningitis. According to the Center for Disease Control, early childhood vaccinations also protect against some of the viruses that lead to aseptic meningitis.
It can present with a rash, but this is normally quite different to the rash seen in bacterial meningitis with meningococcal disease. Bacterial meningitis is less common than viral, but it can still happen to anyone of any age. Many different bacteria can cause meningitis but the most common worldwide are meningococcal, pneumoccocal, Haemophilus influenzae.
Bacterial meningitis can occur alongside sepsis , which is the more life threatening form of the disease and often involves the bacteria invading the blood as well. Sepsis can occur with or without bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis and sepsis are serious, life threatening illnesses. The first symptoms are often non-specific and include fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.
How can you tell the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis? To determine whether a person is suffering from viral or bacterial meningitis, doctors will have to perform a lumbar puncture. This involves collecting a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid CSF that surrounds the brain and spinal cord to find out what is causing the meningitis.
If the results of the lumbar puncture identify a specific virus or bacteria then the diagnosis is clear. The clues that the doctor uses are the levels of white cells, protein and glucose in the CSF.
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