Treatment:

Treatment is needed for fungal or mycobacterial causes of aseptic meningitis. Herpesvirus/varicella (chicken pox) virus can be treated with anti-viral medicines. Supportive treatment for non-infectious causes consists of pain medications and management of complications, if they occur.

No specific treatment is available for enteroviral aseptic meningitis.

Expectations (prognosis):

Aseptic meningitis is usually a harmless disease, and people usually have full recovery in 5 to 14 days after symptoms start.

Fatigue and lightheadedness may persist longer in some people.

Complications:

Encephalitis (infection of brain itself) may develop, though this is rare. Infection may last much longer in a person with a depressed immune system.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of aseptic meningitis occur.