According to KidsHealth, viral meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, by virus. Viral meningitis causes changes in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. A common infectious disease, it spreads through direct contact with infected feces or nose or throat secretions. Viral meningitis spreads most rapidly among young children in summer and early autumn. Some of the serious complications of viral meningitis include vision problems, communicating hydrocephalus, encephalitis and hearing loss.
Vision Problems
Although rare, viral meningitis can result in vision-related problems such as double vision. A study published in the Journal of Neuro-Opthalmalogy in June 2008 reports a case of a woman with viral meningitis who developed temporary vision paralysis. The reason for this is that the virus spreads to the brain through the nerves, and can affect the visual cortex. The woman's vision was resolved once the viral meningitis was successfully treated. The College of Cranio-Sacral therapy also reports a case of a man who experienced blurred vision as a result of viral meningitis that was contracted 15 years earlier.
Communicating Hydrocephalus
Communicating hydrocephalus can stem from viral meningitis. The Journal of Neurology reports that in a study conducted on newborn hamsters and kittens, 70 percent of the hamsters infected with the Western Reserve strain of vaccinia virus and 35 percent infected with the vaccine strain developed communicating hydrocephalus. Communicating hydrocephalus occurs when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked after exiting the ventricles of the brain. However, cerebrospinal fluid can still flow between the ventricles that remain open.
Encephalitis
Viral meningitis can lead to encephalitis. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that several thousand cases of encephalitis are reported every year, and many more can actually occur as the symptoms may be mild to non-existent in most of the patients. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain that may be accompanied by seizures, headache and neck pain.
Hearing Loss
Patients with viral meningitis can experience hearing loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, the longer the patient is untreated for viral meningitis, the greater the risk is for developing the serious complication of hearing loss. Viral meningitis can lead to inflammation of the auditory nerve, which is responsible for hearing.
References
- KidsHealth: Meningitis
- Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology:Temporary Divergence Paralysis in Viral Meningitis
- MayoClinic.com: Meningitis
- Journal of Neurosurgery: Communicating hydrocephalus in newborn hamsters and cats
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Meningitis and Encephalitis Fact Sheet
