Viral meningitis medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]

Overview

Viral meningitis has no specific treatment as most of the patients recover within 7-10 days. However, antiviral medical therapy can be provided for the patients caused with specific viruses like the enteroviruses or the influenza.

Medical therapy

Viral meningitis treatment is done in two ways the supportive measures and the antiviral therapy.

Supportive measures

Analgesics for relieving pain.
Acetaminophen for the fever.
If seizures are noticed, Phenytoin would be helpful.
Fluids and electrolytes management to avoid development of brain edema.^[1]

Antiviral medical therapy

Acyclovir is the antiviral agent that can be used against the enteroviruses. It is effective against viral meningitis so that it is recommended to start it early.^[2]
Pleconaril and immune serum globulin (ISG) are antiviral agents that can be used in case of enteroviral meningitis. They inhibit viral replication.

References

↑ Rotbart HA (2000). “Viral meningitis”. Semin Neurol. 20 (3): 277–92. doi:10.1055/s-2000-9427. PMID 11051293.
↑ Tyler KL (2004). “Herpes simplex virus infections of the central nervous system: encephalitis and meningitis, including Mollaret’s”. Herpes. 11 Suppl 2: 57A–64A. PMID 15319091.

[pmid11051293-1] Rotbart HA (2000). “Viral meningitis”. Semin Neurol. 20 (3): 277–92. doi:10.1055/s-2000-9427. PMID 11051293.

[pmid15319091-2] Tyler KL (2004). “Herpes simplex virus infections of the central nervous system: encephalitis and meningitis, including Mollaret’s”. Herpes. 11 Suppl 2: 57A–64A. PMID 15319091.

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