Isle doctors see rise in
pediatric viral meningitis

Anecdotal evidence suggests
the increase in incidence of
the mostly nonfatal illness

For the past few months, emergency room doctors and private pediatricians have noticed an increase in pediatric viral meningitis that has flulike symptoms.

Dr. Marianne Melish, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Hawaii school of medicine, said, "I'm not aware of any common link, but there are more cases, maybe severalfold more, than in an average summer."

Melish said viral meningitis is usually present in the spring and summer, but this year there are more cases and the disease is striking older children.

She said typically the disease, which is distinguished by fever, severe headache and a stiff neck, strikes infants. However, since May, physicians have been treating school-age children and teenagers.

Melish stressed the viral form is rarely fatal and "virtually never causes brain damage." The viral version, unlike the bacterial form, cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Viral meningitis is far less serious than the potentially fatal bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis can be uncomfortable with severe headache stemming from inflammation of the brain and brain stem. It can also cause vomiting and severe dehydration.

Melish said spinal taps are the only means to diagnose the disease and should be done so that physicians can differentiate it from the bacterial form. Results from a spinal tap are usually available within an hour.

Janice Okubo, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health, said: "There appears to be an increase in cases but no link or common cause."

Okubo said viral meningitis is not a reportable disease so the department does not track the number of cases. She said the department has been aware of the increase because of anecdotal information from physicians calling in.

Okubo said the disease is contagious and that children who are sick should not go to school.