Signs and Symptoms of Aseptic Meningitis

Signs and Symptoms of Aseptic Meningitis

Meningitis is a severe condition in which the membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Aseptic meningitis mostly occurs in infants and young children. It might make you feel ill but is milder than bacterial meningitis. Serious complications are rare. Half of all aseptic meningitis is caused by seasonal viruses, usually transmitted by cough, saliva or waste matter. Some of the viruses that cause meningitis are; chicken pox, HIV, mumps, herpes simplex, west Nile, rabies. 

Doctors may not be able to identify the specific virus which is responsible for the outbreak of this disease. Some other conditions such as Fungal Infection, Syphilis, Lyme disease, Tuberculosis, Drug Allergies, inflammatory diseases may also be responsible for the outcome of this disease. Aseptic meningitis may develop quickly or take several weeks depending on the organism that is responsible. This is however a mild condition as one may recover from it by their immunity without any medication. The majority of cases are resolved within one or two weeks, however in some cases it may lead to brain infections. To avoid dealing with this disease one must vaccinate against chickenpox and mumps, practicing hygiene, washing hands before and after meals and after using the restroom, cover the mouth while sneezing or coughing, do not share drinks or food with others, get plenty of rest, maintain a healthy diet, and avoid people who have cold or flu.

Signs and symptoms of aseptic meningitis cover a large range of physiological abnormalities though all the abnormalities may also not be found in the body of all the persons who are affected by this disease. 

The symptoms of this disease vary from infant to adults. Most common symptoms which are usually found due to the effect of this disease are described in the following:

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•      Fever: Fever is the most common symptom of this disease. The body temperature of the affected person gets higher than normal varies from 99°F to 103°F which is followed by chills according to the severity of the disease.
• ·         Stomach ache: Pain and unrest due to improper bowel functioning due to intense effect of the causative agent.
• ·         Headache: Continuous pain in the surrounding area of forehead is also present as one of the most common symptom of this disease.
• ·         Body ache: Overall body pain due to weakness as the appetite decreases due to the mal functioning of the gastro intestinal system.
• ·         Sensitivity to light: Irritation caused due to sunlight or other light mediums which is one of the unique symptoms of this disease.
• ·         Loss of appetite: Inability to consume food as per normal regular diet and digestion result into the loss of the appetite which finally results into the weakness.
• ·         Vomiting: Regurgitation due to improper digestion as the gastro intestinal system of the human body gets affected more by this disease.
• ·         Fatigue: Excessive tiredness due to lack of energy and nourishment results into fatigue. Persons who are affected by this disease easily get exhausted after lesser work.