The medical guidelines for airline travel advise
avoiding flying with an active middle ear or sinus infection or recent surgery
. CSF leakage, a known risk factor for meningitis, is not mentioned as a predisposing factor of meningitis episodes related to air travel, or as a reason for not flying.
Viral meningitis tends to get better on its own within 7 to 10 days and
can often be treated at home
.
Viral meningitis can be contagious from
3 days after infection starts to about 10 days after symptoms develop
. Bacterial meningitis is usually less contagious than viral meningitis. It's generally contagious during the incubation period and an additional 7 to 14 days.
Although viral meningitis is
typically not very contagious
, it can be spread from one person to another. The two most common ways of spread are through direct contact with respiratory secretions, and through the stool (feces) of an infected person.
Recovery. If you are diagnosed with viral meningitis, you will usually find that symptoms improve within a few days and most recover fully after
one to four weeks
. It is common for you to experience tiredness for a longer period following this.
What is viral meningitis? Viral meningitis is an infection of the membranes (linings) that cover the brain and spinal cord. A variety of viruses can cause meningitis, including those that cause gastroenteritis, measles, mumps, chicken pox and herpes. Viral meningitis is
rarely serious
, although symptoms may be severe.
What type of meningitis is worse?
Bacteria or a virus can cause meningitis. Viral meningitis is more common, but
bacterial meningitis
is more serious. It can lead to brain damage, paralysis, or stroke. In some cases, it can be fatal.
Symptoms appear
within three to six days
after being exposed to the virus. You can pass the virus to others for several weeks after getting the infection, even after you no longer feel sick so it is important to always wash your hands. How long does viral meningitis last?
Symptoms usually occur within one week of exposure to the virus. The symptoms rarely last over 10 days. Recovery is usually complete. Incubation: The incubation period for enteroviruses is usually
between 3 and 7 days
from the time of infection until the development of symptoms.
Does meningitis require isolation?
Meningococcal meningitis patients should be placed on droplet precautions (private room, mask for all entering the room) until they have completed 24 hours of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Negative pressure ventilation is not required.
Patients with pneumococcal or viral meningitis do not require isolation
.
- Memory loss/lack of concentration/difficulty retaining information.
- Clumsiness/co-ordination problems.
- Headaches.
- Deafness/hearing problems/tinnitus/dizziness/loss of balance.
- Epilepsy/seizures.
- Weakness/paralysis/spasms.
- Speech problems.
- Loss of sight/vision problems.
Symptoms generally appear between 3-7 days after exposure. The symptoms usually last
7-10 days
and the person completely recovers.
Meningococcal –
droplet for 24 hours after effective treatment
. Haemophilus influenza – droplet for 24 hours after effective treatment. Enterovirus – Contact precautions for diapered or incontinent children for duration of illness.
Can you get meningitis more than once?
It is very unusual for anyone to have meningitis more than once, but it is possible
. Most people some develop immunity to the organism that has caused their disease.
How long do you stay in hospital with meningitis?
People with meningitis may need to stay in hospital for
a few days
, and in certain cases treatment may be needed for several weeks. Even after going home, it may be a while before you feel completely back to normal.
Chronic meningitis develops slowly, over weeks or longer, and
may last for months to years
. Rarely, chronic meningitis causes only mild symptoms and resolves on its own.
Can you drive after meningitis?
Acute encephalitic illness and meningitis – including limbic encephalitis associated with seizures. ✘-
Must not drive
and may need to notify DVLA. If there are no seizures, driving may resume after complete clinical recovery and DVLA need not be notified unless there is residual disability.
What does a meningitis headache feel like?
Headache. A headache caused by meningitis is typically described as
severe and unrelenting
. It does not subside by taking an aspirin. Stiff neck.
Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis. You get it when a virus enters the body
through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain
.
Where is a meningitis headache located?
The headache is generalized
all over the head
. Drowsiness and confusion may be present in the more severe cases. Seizures are rare in meningitis, but common in encephalitis which is an infection of the brain tissue. The onset of the headache and fever usually occurs quite rapidly.
Meningitis caused by viruses is serious but often is less severe than bacterial meningitis
. People with normal immune systems who get viral meningitis usually get better on their own. There are vaccines to prevent some kinds of viral meningitis.
Can a person survive meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis is serious. Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However,
most people recover from bacterial meningitis
. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.
Mixed bacterial and viral meningitis is uncommon
. In the medical literature, there are few reported cases of co-infection with enteroviruses and different bacteria,1–6 including S. pneumonia.
Does meningitis spread fast?
Bacterial meningitis can have some serious side effects.
Symptoms can happen very fast, even within a few hours, or they can gradually develop in a day or two
. Meningitis is a deadly disease that can develop very quickly and kill in hours. It can happen to anyone of any age.
