What indicates viral meningitis?

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Multiple Choice

What indicates viral meningitis?

Viral meningitis typically shows a lymphocytic predominance in the cerebrospinal fluid. This reflects the immune response driven mainly by lymphocytes, with CSF often showing an elevated cell count composed mostly of lymphocytes, and usually normal or near-normal glucose with only mild protein elevation. Early in some viral infections you might see neutrophils, but the sustained predominance of lymphocytes is the hallmark of viral meningitis. Eosinophils would suggest eosinophilic meningitis (parasites or certain triggers), while neutrophils are more characteristic of bacterial meningitis. Monocytes are not the defining feature for viral meningitis.

Viral meningitis typically shows a lymphocytic predominance in the cerebrospinal fluid. This reflects the immune response driven mainly by lymphocytes, with CSF often showing an elevated cell count composed mostly of lymphocytes, and usually normal or near-normal glucose with only mild protein elevation. Early in some viral infections you might see neutrophils, but the sustained predominance of lymphocytes is the hallmark of viral meningitis. Eosinophils would suggest eosinophilic meningitis (parasites or certain triggers), while neutrophils are more characteristic of bacterial meningitis. Monocytes are not the defining feature for viral meningitis.

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