Aseptic Meningitis: How to Detect Symptoms & Emergency Treatment

What is aseptic meningitis?

Aseptic meningitis refers to inflammation of the meninges caused by something other than a bacterial infection, most commonly, a viral infection. Meningitis in itself is a broad term that refers to inflammation of the meninges, the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

The symptoms of meningitis, regardless of the cause, include fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and sensitivity to light.

Some viral causes of aseptic meningitis can be treated with antiviral medications, but typically the disease resolves on its own. The mainstay of treatment is supportive therapy. A few viruses causing aseptic meningitis can be prevented with vaccines, but most causes of aseptic meningitis cannot be prevented.

You should go to the ER as soon as possible in order to take a sample of the fluid bathing the nervous system to characterize the type of infection it is. A non-bacterial meningitis typically has no need for antibiotics.

Symptoms of aseptic meningitis

Main symptoms

The following are the main symptoms of aseptic meningitis.

• Lethargy
• Confusion
• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Altered mental status
• Stiff neck (meningismus)
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Seizures
• Double vision
• Facial Droop
• Skin rash
• Arthritis (pain in joints)

Related conditions

Encephalitis is a similar condition and refers to inflammation of the meningeal lining as well as the actual brain tissue. Encephalitis includes the symptoms of meningitis, but also presents with abnormal brain function, including altered mental status, motor or sensory dysfunction, altered behavior, and personality changes. While people with meningitis can have some mild confusion or lethargy, people with encephalitis have more pronounced neurologic dysfunction. However, these two diseases are on a spectrum, and the line between them is often blurry. Meningoencephalitis is a term that refers to the overlap of these two diseases.

Causes of aseptic meningitis

Many people think of bacterial meningitis when they hear the term meningitis, which refers to a serious bacterial infection of the meninges requiring intravenous antibiotics for treatment. However, aseptic meningitis, commonly caused by a viral infection, cannot be treated in the same manner. Other causes include fungal infection, cancer, and medication side effects.

Enterovirus meningitis

Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that are transmitted through the gastrointestinal system and can cause a variety of viral illnesses in children and adults. They usually cause mild self-limited flu-like illness. However, these viruses have the ability to infect the meninges and cause aseptic meningitis. Enteroviruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis, particularly in the summer and fall months.

Herpes meningitis

Herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2) is another common cause of aseptic meningitis. HSV-2 is classically thought of as genital herpes, however, it can be spread via the mouth and saliva just like herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1) and is not necessarily a sexually transmitted infection. HSV-2 is typically asymptomatic but can cause a rash or blisters around the mouth or genitals. HSV-2 can also infect the meninges and cause aseptic meningitis.

Fungal meningitis

Fungal spores can be inhaled leading to a variety of infectious symptoms including pneumonia and meningitis. Fungal infections are generally more common in people who are immunocompromised.

• Coccidiomycosis: This can cause meningitis and is common in the Southwest United States and Central America.
• Cryptococcus: This can cause meningitis and commonly infects immunocompromised patients.

Parameningeal infection

Sometimes, an infection that is close to the meninges can lead to inflammation and meningitis symptoms. Some examples include an abscess in the epidural space around the spinal cord or an abscess in the subdural space below the skull. Sinus infections or ear infections can occasionally lead to meningitis symptoms as well. These infections are often bacterial, but bacteria will not actually be present in the meninges.

Other infectious causes

Other less common infections that can cause aseptic meningitis include Lyme disease, syphilis, and tuberculosis (TB).

Neoplastic (cancerous) meningitis

Cancer of the blood, including lymphoma and leukemia, can spread to the meninges causing meningitis symptoms. Breast cancer, lung cancer, and skin cancer can also spread to the meninges and cause meningitis. This is much less common than infectious aseptic meningitis.

Drug-induced meningitis

Drug-induced meningitis is uncommon and infectious and neoplastic (cancerous) causes must be ruled out before this diagnosis can be made. Some drugs that are known to cause meningitis include:

• NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Antibiotics: Such as Bactrim
• Chemotherapy agents: Such as cetuximab and rofecoxib

Treatment options and prevention for aseptic meningitis

The diagnostic process for meningitis has been detailed in this section, as well as methods of treatment, prevention, and the prognosis. Treatment options include antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal medications, cancer treatments, and supportive treatments.

Diagnosis

The mainstay of diagnosing meningitis is by examining cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) for signs of inflammation, viruses, fungus, or cancer cells. All people suspected to have meningitis need to have CSF tested to rule out bacterial meningitis, which can be life-threatening, and requires intravenous antibiotic treatment. CSF surrounds the brain and spinal cord underneath the meninges. Markers of inflammation and infectious causes will be present in the fluid and can indicate the cause of meningitis.

• Lumbar puncture/spinal tap: In order to obtain CSF, a physician will perform a lumbar puncture (LP). This involves you lying on your side or bending over a table. Your physician will place a small needle through your back into the spinal canal to obtain a sample of CSF. Once the fluid sample is obtained, various tests including white blood cell counts, and tests for viruses, bacteria, or fungus can be done to determine the cause of meningitis.
• Head imaging: A physician may obtain a CT scan or MRI of the brain. Typically, this is used to rule out other causes of the symptoms including masses, bleeding, or fluid collections in the brain. An MRI may help with the diagnosis for neoplastic (cancerous) causes of aseptic meningitis.

When to seek further consultation for aseptic meningitis

If you have any combination of symptoms suggestive of meningitis, seek urgent medical treatment. In particular, seek medical treatment if you have a fever along with a headache, neck stiffness, or confusion. Some causes of meningitis require urgent medical intervention to prevent severe permanent neurological complications or death. It is important to be seen by a physician as soon as possible if meningitis is suspected.