They were not. Dr. Joseph Siebold, director of UD's Student Health Service, was asked to provide information about these diseases. Viral meningitis is a serious disease, but rarely is it fatal in persons with normal immune systems. Usually, symptoms last from seven to 10 days and the person recovers completely. There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis, and most patients recover on their own.
Doctors frequently recommend bed rest, fluids and medicine to relieve fever and headache.
This usually happens by shaking hands with an infected person or touching something they have handled, and then rubbing your own nose, mouth or eyes. The virus can be found in the stool of persons who are infected. Because most persons who are infected with enteroviruses do not become sick, it can be difficult to prevent the spread of the virus. If you are in contact with someone who has viral meningitis, however, the most effective method of prevention is to wash your hands thoroughly and often. Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.