What is the primary treatment for viral meningitis?

The primary treatment for viral meningitis focuses on supportive care. Unlike bacterial meningitis, which often requires immediate treatment with intravenous antibiotics, viral meningitis is generally self-limiting and does not respond to antiviral medications in the same way that bacterial infections respond to antibiotics.

Supportive care involves managing symptoms and ensuring the patient's comfort. This may include hydration, pain management, antipyretics for fever, and monitoring neurological status. Most patients recover completely without any specific antiviral therapy.

This approach is guided by the understanding that the body's immune system typically resolves the viral infection naturally. In contrast to viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent serious complications. Corticosteroids might be used in certain contexts for bacterial meningitis to reduce inflammation, but they are not a primary treatment for viral infections. Thus, supportive care remains the cornerstone of managing viral meningitis.