Can I get viral meningitis if I’m around someone who has it?

The viruses that cause viral meningitis are contagious. Enteroviruses, for example, are very common during the summer and early fall, and many people are exposed to them.

However, most infected persons either have no symptoms or develop only a cold or rash with low-grade fever.

Only a small proportion of infected persons actually develop meningitis.

Therefore, if you are around someone who has viral meningitis, you have a moderate chance of becoming infected, but a very small chance of developing meningitis.