Viral meningitis is a swelling of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord caused by a viral infection, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms include headache, fever and stiff neck. Viral meningitis is the most common form of the disease in the U.S. Unlike bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis rarely causes serious complications. Since it's impossible to tell viral meningitis apart from potentially deadly forms of the disease, anyone who suspects meningitis should seek emergency care.
Prognosis
Most people with viral meningitis get better on their own without treatment in a couple of weeks, according to MayoClinic.com. Since viruses don't respond to antibiotics, most people with mild viral meningitis require little more than bed rest, fluids and over-the-counter pain medications to relieve fever and pain. Those with severe cases, those with a herpes infection or those where the cause can't be pinpointed might be given anti-viral medication. Hospitalization may be needed in severe cases or for those with impaired immune systems, which can make it hard to fight off the infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people with viral meningitis make a full recovery and suffer no lasting complications.
Brain Damage
In rare and severe cases, viral meningitis can lead to seizures and permanent brain or nerve damage, according to MayoClinic.com. This can cause blindness and the loss of hearing, speech and memory. It can also cause learning and behavior problems as well as paralysis, seizures or loss of muscle control, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or NINDS. These problems can be permanent and may require long-term therapy and other medical care.
Other Complications
Meningitis can also lead to kidney failure and adrenal gland failure, according to MayoClinic.com. In the worst cases, meningitis can cause the body to go into shock, and it can be fatal. Death is rare in healthy people with viral meningitis, but it can happen in those with impaired immune systems, according to the CDC.
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