Viral meningitis, sometimes referred to as nonbacterial or aseptic meningitis, is milder and more common than bacterial forms. It can be caused by any of a number of viruses, including enteroviruses, the mumps virus, herpesviruses, HIV, and several mosquito-borne viruses (Bunyavirus and flavivirus) usually associated with encephalitis. Viral meningitis is usually seen only in individual cases rather than in outbreaks. Those not vector-borne are usually spread from person to person by the fecal-oral route. Symptoms include headache, fever, stiff neck, and tiredness, sometimes accompanied by a rash. There is no specific treatment.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.