Expert: Walter Hintz - 7/4/2005

Question
hello, i'm not sure if you are the person to turn to but maybe you can help.  there are quite a few cases of viral meningitis here in the schools and i did some research and found myself a question.  the example is a family in my apartment complex.  the oldest girl and the 4 month old boy both came down with viral meningitis and spent 4 days in the hospital.  the mother was told that it probably was the middle child who gave it to them...she was only sick with vomiting and diarrhea.  i have read that there are many common viruses that can cause viral meningitis. my question is, if a few children are exposed to the same virus, and one develops meningitis, if the others are going to get sick, will it be meningitis or possibly something else?  does the end result depend on the child's body and immune system or the bug that caused it?

Answer
 Hello Christine
Meningitis is an inflammation of the linings of the spinal cord and is a condition with different causal agents.  The bacterial menuingitis is very serious much more so than the viral type. The prognosis certainly depends upon the cause and health of the victim.
 I am not avirologist nor an MD so that is about all I can tell you.