Aseptic meningitis also knows as sterile meningitis. This type of meningitis is refer to the inflammation of the tissue layers that lining the brain called meninges specific not caused by bacteria. This condition may cause by virus or other non-bacterial microbes. Aseptic meningitis may also caused by side effect of medication and commonly appear in people with autoimmune disease.
Base on Wikipedia, a drug-induced aseptic meningitis may caused by several types of drug such as NSAIDs, Azathioprine, Methotrexate, Amoxicillin, Lamotrigine, Intravenous immunoglobulin, Isoniazid, and Allopurinol. This negative side effect makes those who use the drugs should in medical expert supervision.
The most common cause of this meningitis is viruses. Enterovirus, Arboviruses, HIV-1 and HNS-2 is the most common viruses that trigger the disease. Meanwhile HSV-1, mumps, adenovirus, CMV, EBV, influenza A,B and Measles are less common.
Patients who affected by this type of meningitis may have symptoms and sign such as frontal headache, low grade fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, pain on eye movement, and photophobia.
Aseptic meningitis treatment overview
There is no specific treatment exist especially for the most viruses that cause meningitis. Commonly doctor focus on alleviate the symptoms by prescribing drugs such as antinausea medication, and analgesics. To maintain body fluid from dehydration that is caused by vomiting, intravenous commonly given to the patient. Acetaminophen is usually given to overcome fever and headache.
Most of patient of aseptic meningitis treated with outpatient procedure and no need isolation along the treatment process. In several cases which the infection source suspected from chickenpox, measles, mumps or rubella virus the usual precaution from non-infected individual should be observed.
For severe aseptic meningitis condition, meticulous care in an intensive care setting with nutritional and respiratory support is strongly recommended. Remarkable recovery may be achieved in some sufferers who become comatose. Vigorous avoidance and support of complications are urgent in these patients.