| Acute: Aseptic Meningitis |
Aseptic meningitis is when the lining of the brain (meninges) is inflamed
Symptoms of Aseptic Meningitis
Headache
Fever
Stiff neck
discomfort, uneasiness, malaise
Sore throat
nausea and vomiting
drowsiness
abdominal pain
chills
rash
muscle pain
confusion
abnormal sensitivity to light
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Enteroviruses are responsible for 80% of viral meningitis cases each year in the U.S. Aseptic meningitis is usually a benign, self-limiting illness that is not severe, however, young infants with an immature immune system, have the highest mortality rates from EV infections.
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More than 90% of all aseptic meningitis cases are assumed to be viral, and the other 10% are bacterial. The first line of defense against meningitis however, is antibiotic therapy because there is no treatment for enterovirus infections.
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Enterovirus 71 is a strain which spreads to the brain and spinal cord. EV-71 was first isolated in California in 1969. Since then, it has caused epidemics in Eastern Europe in 1975 and 1978 and in Southeast Asia between 1997 and 2000.
Long term prognosis of children infected with enteroviruses may have possible behavior and neurological abnormalities, especially infection with EV-71.
Children who have had EV infections in the past, show a higher incidence of learning and developmental difficulties later.
Chronically EV infected mothers have a high number of offspring with developmental disabilities such as autism or ADD. Many children with these disorders suffer from persistent GI symptoms and could have been infected during gestation.
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