What are the causes of viral meningitis?
Various viruses are responsible for viral meningitis. The most common viruses that can lead to viral meningitis include:
- Measles [1]
- Enteroviruses
- Cytomegalovirus meningitis (CMV meningitis)
- Varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles
- Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2
- HIV
- Influenza
- Epstein-Barr virus [2]
- Mumps [3]
Studies show that not everyone that has been infected with enteroviruses will have meningitis. Children younger than 5 years and people with compromised immune systems due to drugs, diseases, and recent surgeries or transplants are more susceptible to meningitis caused by enteroviruses. Children younger than 1 month old and people with weak immune systems are most likely to suffer from severe symptoms. If you are not up to date on your vaccinations, you may get meningitis from measles, mumps, or the flu.
Viral meningitis is not a contagious disease. Your chances of having the condition does not increase when you come in contact with someone who has the condition. Linked cases of this type of meningitis are usually rare and almost all cases occur alone.