Officials Say Viral Meningitis Just like Any Other Virus

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Officials in Harrison County continue proper protocol to ensure students’ safety after a student of Nutter Fort Primary was confirmed with viral meningitis last week.

“It seems to be improving; we’re seeing less of it,” said Margaret Howe-White, nursing director at Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department. “It will eventually run its course because it’s viral.”

Howe-White says that parents should not worry, as this is not the same strain of meningitis that causes serious complications.

“Viral meningitis is just a viral infection that can cause inflammation around the brain,” she said. “Viral meningitis is usually self-limiting like any other virus, like the cold or the flu. You get the virus, it runs its course, it goes away, and there’s no antibiotic treatment for the virus.”

The viral strain also does not require any antibiotic treatment, Howe-White said.

“You treat the symptoms with fluids, if they need them, you treat the fever, body aches or whatever, just like any other virus,” she said.

Though the virus is contagious, Howe-White said prevention is no different than any other viral infection.

“We always have those things going on when you have large groups together,” she said. “The take home is, wash hands, cover cough, keep your kids home if they’re sick, stay home from work if you’re sick.”

A second case is suspected, though not yet confirmed, with a student of Washington Irving Middle School.

Harrison County Schools has taken proper protocol, including extensive cleaning at both schools.

“They have done environmental cleaning, they did extra cleaning after school hours, they are cleaning the surfaces frequently, they are educating the children to cover their cough, to wash their hands, and of course the rooms have hand sanitizers present for the kids to use and tissues,” Howe-White said.

Letters and information sheets were sent home with parents Friday regarding the symptoms and incubation period of viral meningitis.

“Now, if you have a child that’s not improving, that’s getting progressively worse, by all means seek medical attention and let the doctor make that determination,” Howe-White said. “But it’s a virus right now.”