What is viral (aseptic) meningitis?
Viral or aseptic meningitis is an illness in which there is redness and swelling of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. What causes viral meningitis? Many different viruses can cause meningitis. About 90% of cases of viral meningitis are caused by members of a group of viruses known as enteroviruses. Herpesviruses and the mumps virus can also cause viral meningitis. How are these viruses spread? Enterovirus, the most common cause of viral meningitis, are most often spread through direct contact with saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus. This usually happens by shaking hands with an infected person or touching something they have handled, and then rubbing your own nose, mouth, or eyes. The virus can also be found in the stools of persons who are infected. The virus is spread through this route mainly among small children who are not yet toilet trained. It can also be spread this way to adults changing the diapers of an infected infant. Who gets viral meningitis? Anyone can get v
