Aseptic meningitis (Sterile meningitis)

Page 1 2 3

What is Aseptic meningitis?

This animation brought to you by Blausen Medical Communications.
Contact Andrew Walbank.

Aseptic Meningitis refers to patients who have clinical and laboratory evidence for meningeal (lining of the brain) inflammation with negative routine bacterial cultures. It is caused mainly by nonbacterial organisms (e.g. viruses, fungi, spirochetes, parasites), nonpyogenic bacteria, specific agents, or other disease processes. The most common cause is enterovirus. Aseptic meningitis is an illness characterized by headache, fever, and inflammation of the lining of the brain (meninges). The illness is usually mild and runs its course without treatment; however, some cases can be severe and life threatening.

Who gets Aseptic meningitis?

2-27 cases per 100,000 population per year; however, this figure is probably higher due to under-reporting. Infections occur any time of the year, with a increase in incidence during summer and autumn in temperate climates. The majority of cases occur in children and young adults.

Predisposing Factors

Many different things can cause aseptic meningitis, including viruses, fungi, tuberculosis, worms, some medications, and infections near the brain or spinal cord, such as epidural abscesses. Risk factors for aseptic meningitis include exposure to someone with recent virus infection, exposure to children in a day care setting, being a health care worker, or having a suppressed immune system.

Progression

In most cases, people with aseptic meningitis will recover completely over a matter of weeks and not suffer permanent damage as a result. However, tiredness, lightheadedness and muscle aches may persist for a period of time after recovery. Encephalitis (infection of brain itself) may develop rarely. Infection may last much longer in a person with a depressed immune system.

Page 1 2 3