The West Nile virus may cause inflammation of the brain or inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). On average, people with West Nile virus infection return to normal health within about 1 year after their first infection.

I'd think that because WNV is a virus, that is would be classified as "Viral meningitis"...but you'd have to ask a medical etymologist about it...or an infectologist. It's my guess that that WNV affects the brain and spinal cord in a specific manner, thus its different name, and that it might be treated differently as well.

Why do you ask?

I'm just worried that the chances of the after effects being permanent are greater if it was caused by WNV.

I was admitted on 8/28/2008 and discharged 5 days later. The original diagnoses was Viral Meningitis, but blood work came back later that was positive for WNV. MRI came back normal - no encephalitis. After effects were noticable about 6 weeks after discharge. I'm having trouble with memory and concentrating.

Just worried....

And reasonably so.

Most people who are infected with West Nile either do not develop symptoms or only develop the mild symptoms of West Nile fever. Less than 1 percent of those people infected will develop the more severe West Nile virus, and almost all of those people fully recover using treatments such as pain relievers.


Researchers are looking into interferon therapy — an immune cell therapy — as a treatment for encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. Some research shows that people who receive interferon may recover better than those who don't receive the drug, but more study is needed.

To confirm meningitis, you can request the following diagnostics:

* A lumbar puncture
* MRI/ Brain imaging

MORE INFO: West Nile virus