How contagious is viral meningitis?

[Mandy]

My nephew has it and I'm pregnant.
He kissed me on the cheek a day before he became sick. Do I need to see a doctor / get vaccinated. ?

[MG (Admin)]

How did they make the diagnosis of viral meningitis with your nephew?
Did he have a lumbar puncture?

[Mandy]

They ran some tests on his spinal fluid. Is that the same as a lumbar puncture?

[MG (Admin)]

The spinal fluid is sampled during a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).

Details regarding this procedure can be found here:-

http://www.asktheneurologist.com/lumbar-puncture.html

What is important to know is what the spinal fluid (CSF) check result was in the lab.

Do you know this?

[Mandy]

I am told 45 cells, all white lymphocytes.

They said that they identified the virus (enterovirus) that cause the meningitis .

My brother said I am worrying for nothing, but how long should it take for me to get sick if I got it?

[clinicalguru1]

This is a very common virus causing meningitis.

In fact it often causes stomach upset (gastroenteritis) without meningitis but sometimes can cause meningitis in someone exposed to someone with the stomach upset.

You are far more likely to catch this virus from someone with a stomach upset than someone with meningitis and even if you did get it you are more likely to get a stomach upset than meningitis.

So...no need to worry (any more than if you knew he had a stomach upset).

Hope that helps

[Mandy]

Thanks!

In fact I am just getting over a stomach upset myself!
Perhaps it is the same virus after all.

Thanks again

Mandy