Fifteen-minute consultation: enterovirus meningitis and encephalitis—when can we stop the antibiotics?

Abstract

Enterovirus (EV) is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis and has a benign course, unlike EV encephalitis, which can result in long-term neurological sequelae. There are no active treatments or prophylactic agents, and management is purely supportive. Obtaining an EV-positive cerebrospinal fluid result usually allows antimicrobial treatment to be stopped. This review will answer some of the common questions surrounding EV meningitis/encephalitis.