Viruses – the most common cause of meningitis

Viruses are the most common cause of adult meningitis and a major cause of long-term illness, according to one study.

The study conducted by researchers at the Institute of Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool diagnosed and treated more than 1,000 patients with suspected meningitis.

The diagnosis of meningitis is often delayed due to unnecessary brain scans prior to lumbar puncture which is the essential investigation to determine the cause of the disease.

Meningitis – the life-threatening form of the disease has declined significantly in recent decades after the introduction of vaccines against some of the most common types, and the study found that the majority of cases were due to viral meningitis.

The delay in diagnosis means that antibiotics are often used inappropriately in patients with viral meningitis, resulting in a longer stay than necessary. Dr. Mike Griffiths, principal investigator of the study, has said: "Diagnosing a specific cause of meningitis quickly is the key to getting the right antibiotics if needed, or avoiding unnecessary antibiotics in patients with viral meningitis.

"Meningitis can strike without warning and the bacterial form of the disease can kill within hours." Many survivors have long-term disabling sequelae as severe as brain damage and deafness, "said Vinny Smith, director General of MRF.

Complete results are present in the Journal- The Lancet Infectious Diseases. (ANI)

This is published unedited by the ANI feed.

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Posted: June 30, 2018 10:59 AM