SHARON

The hospital at Sharon Regional Health System saw a case of viral meningitis in a 7-year-old girl over the weekend, but health officials said it's nothing to panic about.

The patient was admitted to the hospital on Friday and discharged Saturday, said Ed Newmeyer, director of marketing at Sharon Regional.

Viral meningitis, an infection of the lining covering the brain and spinal cord, is a fairly common disease and occurs most often in children, according to a meningitis information Web site.

It is considered less serious than the more deadly bacteria meningitis, which is highly contagious and can result in brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability or death.

Most cases of viral meningitis are isolated and outbreaks are rare. It resolves on its own with specific treatment or medicine.

Newmeyer emphasized viral meningitis is a self-limiting disease that is generally not spread from person to person.

In cases of viral meningitis, nothing is done from a public health standpoint, said Richard McGarvey, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

While most people are exposed to the viruses that cause viral meningitis sometime in their lives, few actually develop meningitis. Strict isolation of a viral meningitis patient is not necessary.

Symptoms of viral meningitis include fever, headache, stiff neck and fatigue and can also include rash, sore throat and intestinal symptoms, according to the Web site.