Signs and symptoms thumb|Symptoms of Meningitis Viral meningitis characteristically presents with fever, headache and neck stiffness. Fever is the result of cytokines released that affect the thermoregulatory (temperature control) neurons of the hypothalamus. Cytokines and increased intracranial pressure stimulate nociceptors in the brain that lead to headaches. Neck stiffness is the result of inflamed meninges stretching due to flexion of the spine. The various layers of meninges act form a separation between the brain and the skull. In contrast to bacterial meningitis, symptoms associated with viral meningitis are often less severe and do not progress as quickly. Nausea, vomiting and photophobia (light sensitivity) also commonly occur, as do general signs of a viral infection, such as muscle aches and malaise. Increased cranial pressure from viral meningitis stimulates the area postrema, which causes nausea and vomiting. Widened pulse pressure (systolic - diastolic blood pressure), bradycardia, and irregular respiration would be alarming for Cushing's reflex, a sign of acutely elevated intracranial pressure. Photophobia is due to meningeal irritation. In severe cases, people may experience concomitant encephalitis (meningoencephalitis), which is suggested by symptoms such as altered mental status, seizures or focal neurologic deficits.
signs and symptoms thumb|symptoms of meningitis viral meningitis characteristically presents with fever headache and neck stiffness fever is the result of cytokines released that affect the thermoregulatory (temperature control) neurons of the hypothalamus cytokines and increased intracranial pressure stimulate nociceptors in the brain that lead to headaches neck stiffness is the result of inflamed meninges stretching due to flexion of the spine the various layers of meninges act form a separation between the brain and the skull in contrast to bacterial meningitis symptoms associated with viral meningitis are often less severe and do not progress as quickly nausea vomiting and photophobia (light sensitivity) also commonly occur as do general signs of a viral infection such as muscle aches and malaise increased cranial pressure from viral meningitis stimulates the area postrema which causes nausea and vomiting widened pulse pressure (systolic - diastolic blood pressure) bradycardia and irregular respiration would be alarming for cushing's reflex a sign of acutely elevated intracranial pressure photophobia is due to meningeal irritation in severe cases people may experience concomitant encephalitis (meningoencephalitis) which is suggested by symptoms such as altered mental status seizures or focal neurologic deficits