Aseptic meningitis

Aseptic meningitis occurs when there are signs of meningitis. However, when a sample of brain fluid is taken, bacteria do not grow. This condition is often treatable. In many cases, recovery takes 7–10 days. Meningitis happens when the brain's lining becomes inflamed. This lining is called the meninges.

Aseptic meningitis
The anatomical structure of the human brain.
Medical specialty	Neurology

Cause

• Viral infection due to:
  • Enterovirus (e.g., Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease; Conjunctivitis)
• Sexually transmitted disease (e.g., herpes, Syphilis, HIV and AIDS)
• Other viruses, such as West Nile Virus
• Parasitic infection (e.g., Lyme Disease)
• Mycoplasma (a type of pneumonia)
• Tuberculosis
• Fungal infection
• Bacterial Meningitis that has not been fully treated
• Certain drugs
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sarcoidosis, Behcet's Disease)

Risk factors

These factors increase the chance of developing aseptic meningitis:

• Being exposed to someone with a viral illness
• Working in a daycare or healthcare setting
• Having a compromised immune system
• Taking certain drugs (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Being a child or teenager (affects children and teens more often than adults)