Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord caused by a virus or bacteria. Viruses that cause meningitis are spread through direct or indirect contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Viral meningitis is generally less severe than bacterial meningitis and tends to clear up with rest and fluids, although in some cases hospitalization may be necessary. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common symptoms of viral meningitis include a high fever, an intense frontal headache behind the eyes, and a stiff neck. Less common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness. Several symptoms may persist for weeks after the infection is gone.
Headaches
According to an article published in February 1991 in the "Headache" journal, headaches associated with meningitis usually begin during the course of the disease and are related to a number of mechanisms. These include increased pressure within the skull due to vasodilation--or expansion--of blood vessels as the body builds up defenses to fight the infection, as well as the general inflammation caused by the infection itself. Although headaches are usually a symptom of the infection, some patients develop recurrent pain even after a complete resolution of the infectious process.
Psychological Effects
According to the Meningitis Research Foundation, the most common short-term aftereffects included behavioral, emotional and psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and difficulty carrying on with work-related activities.
Fatigue
Chronic fatigue may be a a long-term result of viral infections such as viral meningitis. A study published in the "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry" in 1996 found that when 159 patients were followed eight to 24 months after recovering from viral infections--83 had recovered from viral meningitis--there was a 12 percent increase in reported symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome as opposed to patients who came to see their primary care physician for reasons other than viral infections.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid results in an abnormal widening of the ventricles, or spaces in the brain, leading to increased intracranial pressure. According to the Hydrocephalus Association, scarring following a meningeal infection results in the obstruction of flow of cerebrospinal fluid as it passes through the narrow ventricles or over the surfaces of the brain. Symptoms of hydrocephalus include an increase in head circumference, sleepiness, irritability, downward deviation of the eyes, vomiting, seizures, as well as problems with balance, an unsteady gait and incontinence. The usual time of onset is within weeks of the original symptoms of a meningeal infection.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Meningitis
- Hydrocephalus Foundation: Learning About Hydrocephalus
- "Headache"; Post Meningitis Headache; Neufeld MY, Treves TA, Chistik V, Korczyn AD.; February 1991
- "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry"; Chronic fatigue and minor psychiatric morbidity after viral meningitis: a controlled study; M Hotopf, N Noah, and S Wessely; 1996
- Meningitis Research Foundation: Impact of Meningitis
