Viral Meningitis Patient Information - Child Health Department - Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
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Viral Meningitis Patient Information Child Health Department Author ID: MF Leaflet Number: CH 054 Version: 5 Name of Leaflet: Viral Meningitis Date Produced: May 2017 Review Date: May 2019
What is viral meningitis?
Meningitis occurs when the virus crosses from the blood into the lining of the brain.
Viruses can also cause encephalitis, which is inflammation (irritation) of the brain this is
treated in much the same way as viral meningitis.
Anyone can get viral meningitis, but it occurs most often in children. Babies are at higher
risk of getting meningitis because they do not have fully developed immune (defence)
systems.
Many different viruses can cause viral meningitis. Most people are exposed to some of
them during their life without ever developing meningitis. The most common causes are:
Enteroviruses – Viruses that can live in our intestines or noses and throats.
Mumps and measles viruses – These viruses are to a large extent prevented by the
MMR vaccine.
Herpes viruses.
In cases of viral meningitis it is not always possible to identify the type of virus responsible
for the disease. You may never find out exactly what made your child so ill.
What are the symptoms of viral meningitis?
High temperature (fever).
Headache and stiff neck, babies may be irritable when picked up and have a high
pitched cry.
Generally feeling unwell, babies can hold their body stiff, have jerky movements or
feel floppy.
Sore throat, refusing or unable to feed.
Dislike of bright lights.
Stomach and muscle pain.
Babies can have a bulging soft spot (fontanel) on their head.
What is the treatment?
The aim of the treatment is to make your child more comfortable – to relieve the
symptoms.
Antibiotics do not work against viruses and are therefore not given. An antiviral
medication may be given intravenously (by drip into a vein) and later as your child’s
condition improves, by mouth.
Pain relief to promote comfort and help reduce the fever.
Fluid intravenously (by drip) if your child is unable to feed or is vomiting.
Your child may be nursed initially in the High Dependency Unit to allow close
observation of your child’s condition.
Viral Meningitis Page 2 of 5What investigations could be done?
Blood tests – to determine diagnosis and treatment.
Nose and/or throat swab to test for possible causes of the illness.
A lumbar puncture – To determine diagnosis and treatment and rule out bacteria
being the cause of the illness (a different treatment would be needed if the illness
were caused by bacteria). A lumbar puncture removes a sample of fluid through a
needle from the space surrounding the spinal cord. This fluid is known as cerebral
spinal fluid or CSF.
Public Health involvement:
It is a requirement that we inform the Public Health Department of all cases of meningitis .
Follow up care
Following discharge from hospital the Consultant will see your child in the outpatients
department. Your child will have a hearing test to make sure there is no damage as a
result of the virus. This test is usually done 8 to 10 weeks after discharge from hospital.
After effects
Most people recover without any after effects. The likelihood of getting after effects from
meningitis depends on the type and severity of the illness. Observe your child at home for
any after effects and report them to a doctor or depending on the severity take your child
to a hospital for assessment.
After effects may include:
Headaches
Hearing problems
Seizures (fits)
Speech problems
Clumsiness or weakness of any part of the body.
Visual problems.
As a result of the illness and hospitalisation your child may experience some behavioural
problems such as:
Being moody or clingy/temper tantrums
Disturbed sleep patterns
Bed-wetting
These will usually rectify, as your child feels more secure at home.
Viral Meningitis Page 3 of 5Please feel free to ask If you have any questions or queries which we have not covered in this leaflet the staff will be pleased to answer your questions as clearly and honestly as they can. Rainbow Ward, Telephone Number: 01942 778762 or 778763, Ward open 24 hours. Please note that we can only give specific advice where we have recently been involved in the care of a child. Viral Meningitis Page 4 of 5
Comments, Compliments or Complaints
The Patient Relations/Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Department provides
confidential on the spot advice, information and support to patients, relatives, friends and
carers.
Contact Us
Tel: 01942 822376 (Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm)
The Patient Relations/PALS Manager
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
Wigan Lane
Wigan WN1 2NN
Ask 3 Questions
Become more involved in decisions about your healthcare. You may
be asked to make choices about your treatment. To begin with, try to
make sure you get the answers to three key questions:
1. What are my options?
2. What are the pros and cons of each option for me?
3. How do I get support to help me make a decision that is right
for me?
How We Use Your Personal Information
For details on how we collect, use and store the information we hold about you, please take a
look at our “how we use your personal information” leaflet which can be found on the Trust
website: www.wwl.nhs.uk/patient_information/Leaflets/default.aspx
This leaflet is also available in audio, large print, Braille and other languages upon request.
For more information call 01942 773106.
© Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of the copyright owner
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