| IHS | Diagnosis | ICD-10 |
|---|---|---|
| 9.1.2 | Headache attributed to lymphocytic meningitis [G03.9] | G44.821 |
Diagnostic criteria:
- Headache with at least one of the following characteristics and fulfilling criteria C and D:
- acute onset
- severe intensity
- associated with nuchal rigidity, fever, nausea, photophobia and/or phonophobia
- Examination of CSF shows lymphocytic pleocytosis, mildly elevated protein and normal glucose1
- Headache develops in close temporal association to meningitis
- Headache resolves within 3 months2 after successful treatment or spontaneous remission of infection
Notes:
- Virus, borrelia, listeria, fungus, tuberculosis or other infective agent(s) may be identified by appropriate methods.
- Headache usually resolves within 1 week.
Comments:
Headache, fever, photophobia and nuchal rigidity are the main symptoms of lymphocytic or non-bacterial meningitis and headache may remain as the main symptom throughout the course of the disease.
Headache can appear with intracranial infection but also in systemic inflammation. Since the signs of systemic inflammation associated with headache do not necessarily mean meningitis or encephalitis, diagnosis of lymphocytic meningitis must be confirmed by CSF examination.
Enteroviruses account for most viral causes. Herpes simplex, adenovirus, mumps and others may also be responsible.





