Viral meningitis happens when a virus causes inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the covering of the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). In most cases, no special treatment is needed. You can help your child feel better during recovery.

• Have your child drink plenty of fluids.
• Let your child rest as much as needed.
• You can give medicine for pain or fever if your health care provider says it's OK. Use one of these medicines exactly as directed:
  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand)
  OR
  • ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.
• Don't give aspirin to your child. It could lead to serious medical problems.
• Viruses that cause meningitis are contagious. To help prevent spreading them, remind everyone in your family to wash their hands well and often. This is especially important after changing diapers, using the toilet, or coughing, and before eating or preparing food.
• Set up a visit with your health care provider as recommended. It's important for your health care provider to do checkups as your child recovers.

Your child:

• is vomiting
• seems very tired or less energetic than usual for more than a few days
• has a fever that gets better and then returns
• seems to be getting sicker
• develops a rash
• develops other new symptoms
• has any of these signs of dehydration:
  • a dry or sticky mouth
  • peeing less
  • no tears when crying
  • sunken eyes
  • dizziness or drowsiness

Your child:

• feels weak, has trouble moving any body parts, or has trouble speaking
• is stumbling or not walking normally
• develops double vision or other vision problems
• gets a severe headache
• has a seizure
• is unusually sleepy or hard to wake up
• is acting confused or disoriented

How is meningitis diagnosed? A sample of the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord is tested to see if a virus or bacteria caused the meningitis. The tests showed that your child's meningitis probably was caused by a virus (if the final test results find another cause, the care team will let you know). Some of the viruses that cause meningitis are common, and in many people only cause a fever and cold- or flu-like symptoms.

How is viral meningitis treated? Viral meningitis usually gets better in 7–10 days with rest and treatment of symptoms, such as a headache. Often, this can be done at home. Kids generally recover completely from viral meningitis without any problems. If the headache is severe or your child can't drink well, they might need to return to the hospital to get pain medicine or fluids.

Can meningitis be prevented? There are many causes of meningitis. People who have had viral meningitis are not protected from getting other, more serious kinds of meningitis, such as those caused by bacteria. Vaccines can prevent some kinds of bacterial meningitis. Talk to your health care provider to make sure your kids have had all recommended vaccines for their age, particularly the pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines.