7 Healthcast: Viral Meningitis

Dr. Camille Kotton, Mass General Hospital
"July through September we definitely see a peak in the occurrence of viral meningitis."

Viral meningitis is linked to a host of viruses, which tend to be more active in warmer weather. Most of us actually carry these viruses with no ill effect.

Dr. Bela Matyas, Department of Public Health
"Most people, who are exposed, will not have any symptoms at all. Most of the rest, who have symptoms really just have a mild flu-like illness."

But in a very, very small population the fluid in the spinal cord or brain becomes infected, which is meningitis.

Symptoms include:

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Fever
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light

So far six cases have been reported, five in children.

Most of the reported cases appear to be related. Two patients were from the same family and two others had visited the same Hyde Park swimming pool.

Health officials emphasize that this is not an epidemic, outbreak or even cluster.

Dr. Bela Matyas, Department of Public Health
"It's actually quite common, we have hundreds if not thousands of cases during the summer in Massachusetts each year. So this number of cases is not at all unusual."

Since the viruses spread through respiratory secretions, viral meningitis tends to be more common in the young.

There is no vaccine for viral meningitis. The best prevention is good hygiene and hand washing. And there really is no standard treatment. People with severe symptoms are hospitalized, but most people who've been exposed will never even know it.