Viral meningitis, which can bring high fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting and a stiff neck, has cropped up in the Midcoast. The Maine Center for Disease Control is working with local schools to monitor concerns, and one group of Rockport-based pediatricians has offered some insight to the illness on its Facebook page.

From Pen Bay Pediatrics: 

“There have been numerous cases of viral meningitis in our local communities recently, and parents may have questions about how to avoid the disease and when to be concerned. Here are a few facts regarding this disease.

“There are numerous viruses that can cause viral meningitis, the majority of which do not cause serious or life-threatening illness; the local cases have not been bacterial meningitis which would be considerably more likely to cause serious or life-threatening illness.

“The vast majority of viral meningitis cases are not life-threatening and patients can recover quickly without the need for antibiotics, however many children with viral meningitis may require a brief hospitalization. 

“The symptoms associated with viral meningitis most commonly include, fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting and photophobia (sensitivity to light.)

”Once a patient has been exposed to the virus, the incubation period is usually 4 to 6 days.

”All children with symptoms that might be consistent with viral meningitis, whether they have been exposed to anyone with the disease or not, should be evaluated promptly by the primary care provider.

As always, good hand washing is always the first and best defense against the spread of disease.”