What is Enteroviral Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (the tissue that covers the spinal cord and brain. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis (other causes are bacteria and fungi). The most common causes of viral meningitis are non-polio enteroviruses (called ‘enteroviruses’ or ‘coxsackie viruses’ or ‘echoviruses’). There are other causes of viral meningitis, such s the herpes viruses (herpes simplex & varicella-zoster), measles, mumps, lymphocytic chorio-meningitis virus and arboviruses (e.g. West Nile virus). Enteroviral meningitis is usually less severe than bacterial meningitis and the other viral causes of meningitis. Very young children and immune compromised individuals may present with severe illness.