Is viral Meningitis contagious?

[HidingFromHim]

one of the kids at my daughter's childminders' has it, and is in hospital. My daughter has had the vaccines for bacterial Meningitis, but i've not heard of a vaccine for viral Meningitis. I know the 2 diseases are totally different, but it's worrying any way.

[Sal*UK]

Yes, thats why its called viral! It is most often spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus) of an infected person. This usually happens by shaking hands with an infected person or touching something they have handled, and then rubbing your own nose or mouth. The virus can also be found in the stool of persons who are infected. The virus is spread through this route mainly among small children who are not yet toilet trained. It can also be spread this way to adults changing the diapers of an infected infant. The incubation period for enteroviruses is usually between 3 and 7 days from the time you are infected until you develop symptoms. You can usually spread the virus to someone else beginning about 3 days after you are infected until about 10 days after you develop symptoms.

[graciouswolfe]

anything that is "VIRAL", is infectious.......

[Dinodude]

All viral diseases are infectious, its just a case of how infectious and by what means. If you have had contact with someone who has had viral meningitis then go see a doc and try not to cough in the waiting room..