2. Viral Meningitis: A Common Invader with Uncommon Effects
Our next contender, viral meningitis, is predominantly caused by non-polio enteroviruses. Although not as deadly as its bacterial counterpart, viral meningitis shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s often mistaken for flu, as symptoms can be mild or even non-existent.
We tend to underestimate viruses. They’re incredibly tiny, even smaller than bacteria, but their effects can be massive. Take non-polio enteroviruses for example. They’re everywhere – soil, water, and inside our bodies. They’re like the common cold viruses, constantly around us but only occasionally causing illness.
Enteroviruses aren’t the only ones in the spotlight. Other viruses, like mumps and herpes simplex, can also lead to viral meningitis. Remember when mumps was a common childhood disease? Vaccination has brought it under control, but in some cases, it can lead to complications, including viral meningitis.
Herpes simplex virus, or HSV, can cause two types of infections – oral herpes and genital herpes. We often associate HSV with cold sores or genital blisters, but it can cause much more than that. In some instances, it can lead to meningitis, known as Mollaret’s meningitis, which can recur periodically. (2)
