Viral Meningitis

Question: Viral Meningitis? Ive been extremely sick for the past couple of days, so I called my doctor and explained to him what has been going on. He said it was most definently Viral Meningitis. So I'm kinda freaked out. Can someone explain to me how you get it, and also what will they have to stick into me when im at the hospital?

Answer: Have you been exposed to it? Have you had a spinal tap? I have never heard of anyone stating this is definite without a spinal tap. If you are admitted to the hospital you will have a spinal tap ( don't freak...they aren't that bad..I have had them), then will start an I.V. to get IV antibiotics into your body quickly. You will have blood work done several times throughout your hospital stay.

Question: Is it typical to be mean while recouperating from viral meningitis? My 18 year old was released from the hospital after 4 days with viral meningitis. He has always been moody but now he is being mean to those around him. Is this typical? How long do the headaches continue?

Answer: well changing of behaviour,may be he is just tired of his illness or from his headache,is he on drug now?gross changing in behavior like sudden eplosive violence or swearing or nudity in the public or any other gross acts should draw ur attention and consult ur doctor,about how long will last the headache,i dont know

Question: Does anyone know if Viral Meningitis can affect your mood after having it? Someone who was once full of life and happy go lucky, contracted Viral Meningitis, and they seemed so different afterwards. They seemed to be moodier - and although it was years ago now, mood swings are quite apparent even today.

Answer: My son in law got Viral meningitis a couple of years ago and he has had a complete personality change. He used to be very shy, quiet and reserved. Now he is outgoing and its difficult to get a word in edge ways when having a conversation with him.

Question: My husband has been diagnosed with viral meningitis and now has a terrible itchy rash. what to do? he has been on a pain killer called Norco for the exrteme headahes which is expected for the viral meningitis. and also benydryl for the rash but the benydryl is not helping the rash is so unbearable that he can't rest. Although the norco seems to be working the rash is making things worse. He also takes a regular drug for thyroid and another for high blood pressure on a regular basis. Please help. we have been in the emergency room twice this past week only to be sent home, and now being the weekend we can't get advice from the ER over the phone and our regular doctor isn't available.

Answer: Is he taking Benadryl by mouth? Doctors often prescribe oral Benadryl for itching, but it rarely works. If the skin isn't broken, try using a topical form of Benadryl. It is available in the drugstore. Depending on your drugstore and your location, it might be available as a spray, a dab-on liquid, or an ointment. The generic name is dyphenhydramine, so look at brands other than Benadryl, too. Benadryl is an antihistamine, so it is good for allergic reactions. But the reason that it works when you put it on an itchy spot is because it is a potent local anesthetic. So it will help itching whether it is an allergic reaction or not. It doesn't work immediately when you put it on; give it about 20 minutes. There are other over-the-counter items for itching, most of which contain hydrocortisone. These might work, but not very fast in someone who is suffering. Also, if the area that itches is extensive, you would probably absorb a lot of hydrocortisone. That affects your immune response, which is not good in someone fighting a virus. If you absorb a lot of Benadryl through your skin, it is no worse than taking it by mouth. The main side effects of Benadryl are drowsiness and dry mouth. The third option is the itch medication with the "caine" in it. Benzocaine, lidocaine, etc. These might work, but don't use them if the rash is extensive, because they have cardiac effects when absorbed. Your husband might be allergic to the Norco. Did he start taking it before or after the rash started? If the rash came after the Norco, you might ask the doctor to change the medication when you finally reach him. I sure hope this helps you.

Question: What mental issues does Viral Meningitis cause? ive just been diagnosed with viral meningitis [not so serious as bacterial i.e. i was told to treat it at home] and ive read on webmd that it causes mental disturbances.. what does viral meningitis cause in the brain?

Answer: Viral meningitis is usually self-limiting and will clear on it's own. That's the good news, relative to bacterial meningitis that can be fatal. The "mental disturbances" are usually mild but vary. Some things I have seen:Headache, drowsiness, mild confusion to stupor, lethargy... usually nothing extreme or permanent like hallucinations or altered mental status. So relax and let your immune system clear the infection. Best of luck.

Question: what is the gestation period for Bacterial and/or Viral meningitis? A freind of ours just got put in the hospital for meningitis,, they don't know if it is bacterial or viral. He was over here, about a week and a half ago. I have 2 kids, and am concerned if they can get it, or my husband and I.

Answer: Patients with meningitis typically remain contagious while they still have symptoms. People who have bacterial meningitis can be contagious for about 24 hours after they begin taking antibiotics. Incubation period ranges from 2-14 days.

Question: i have a friend who has viral meningitis, what are my chances of getting it? We are in college and my friend just got diagnosed with viral meningitis. we hang out often. i was wondering what my chances were of getting the virus. i have been told that its not that easy to catch. im just worried.

Answer: How is the virus spread? Enteroviruses, the most common cause of viral meningitis, are most often spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus) of an infected person. This usually happens by shaking hands with an infected person or touching something they have handled, and then rubbing your own nose or mouth. The virus can also be found in the stool of persons who are infected. The virus is spread through this route mainly among small children who are not yet toilet trained. It can also be spread this way to adults changing the diapers of an infected infant. The incubation period for enteroviruses is usually between 3 and 7 days from the time you are infected until you develop symptoms. You can usually spread the virus to someone else beginning about 3 days after you are infected until about 10 days after you develop symptoms. Can I get viral meningitis if I’m around someone who has it? The viruses that cause viral meningitis are contagious. Enteroviruses, for example, are very common during the summer and early fall, and many people are exposed to them. However, most infected persons either have no symptoms or develop only a cold or rash with low-grade fever. Only a small proportion of infected persons actually develop meningitis. Therefore, if you are around someone who has viral meningitis, you have a moderate chance of becoming infected, but a very small chance of developing meningitis. How can I reduce my chances of becoming infected? Because most persons who are infected with enteroviruses do not become sick, it can be difficult to prevent the spread of the virus. However, adhering to good personal hygiene can help to reduce your chances of becoming infected. If you are in contact with someone who has viral meningitis, the most effective method of prevention is to wash your hands thoroughly and often (see "Handwashing" in: An Ounce of Prevention: Keeps the Germs Away). Also, cleaning contaminated surfaces and soiled articles first with soap and water, and then disinfecting them with a dilute solution of chlorine-containing bleach (made by mixing approximately ¼ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water) can be a very effective way to inactivate the virus, especially in institutional settings such as child care centers. (See more about cleaning and disinfecting in general in CDC's Prevention Resources).

Question: A co-worker of mine was recently hospitalized for VIRAL Meningitis? When she came back to work after two weeks she told everyone they treated her with antibiotics. Does she really expect everyone to believe that Dr's gave her antibiotics for a viral sickness?? Do Dr's normally treat Viral Meningitis with antibiotics?

Answer: yes agree with her

Question: What is viral meningitis? And how contagious is it? How do you get viral meningitis?

Answer: According to the experts, it is not very contagious. The quote is from the first source. "Is a person with viral meningitis contagious? Enteroviruses, which cause most cases of viral meningitis, are contagious. Fortunately, most people exposed to these viruses experience mild or no symptoms. Most people are exposed to these viruses at some time in their lives, but less than 1 in every 1000 persons infected actually develop meningitis. The viruses that are spread by mosquitoes are rarely spread from person to person (see Arboviral Infections fact sheet)."

Question: Medical Question about Viral Meningitis symptoms, could someone help? My symptoms: one week before this all started i had a normal cold..then i got better and started having head aches two days neck back after two days, ache pains, fever, no sore throat till 7 days after those symptoms. dr said it was viral meningitis. could this be it? i read online that the only way to tell you have meningitis is from a spinal tap, is it true?

Answer: viral meningitis, is most often spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus) of an infected person. This usually happens by shaking hands with an infected person or touching something they have handled, and then rubbing your own nose or mouth. The virus can also be found in the stool of persons who are infected. The virus is spread through this route mainly among small children who are not yet toilet trained. It can also be spread this way to adults changing the diapers of an infected infant. The incubation period for enteroviruses is usually between 3 and 7 days from the time you are infected until you develop symptoms. You can usually spread the virus to someone else beginning about 3 days after you are infected until about 10 days after you develop symptoms.