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Mollaret meningitis


Other Names:
Benign recurrent aseptic meningitis; Mollaret's meningitis; Benign recurrent lymphocytic meningitis; Benign recurrent aseptic meningitis; Mollaret's meningitis; Benign recurrent lymphocytic meningitis; Recurrent meningitis See More
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Mollaret meningitis is a type of meningitis due to a viral infection (aseptic meningitis) that occurs multiple times.[1] It is characterized by repeated episodes of meningitis, typically lasting two to five days, occurring weeks to years apart.[1][2] Common signs and symptoms during an episode may include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and stiff neck.[1][3] Some people also experience temporary neurological symptoms such as double vision, hallucinations, altered consciousness, cranial nerve palsy, or seizures.[1][2][3] Almost half of people with Mollaret meningitis develop long-term neurological impairment such as problems with memory, balance, coordination, and/or hearing.[1]

The virus most commonly responsible for Mollaret meningitis is the herpes simplex virus (usually HSV-2, the type generally responsible for genital herpes, but also HSV-1).[1][2] However, more than half of people with Mollaret meningitis due HSV-2 do not report a history of genital herpes.[4] Epstein-Barr virus has also been associated with Mollaret meningitis. The diagnosis typically involves detecting herpes simplex virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is collected during a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).[1][2] This test can diagnosis other types of meningitis as well. Treatment may involve an antiviral drug such as acyclovir to treat and prevent recurrent episodes of viral meningitis, as well as various medications to treat specific symptoms present in each person.[1][2] While antiviral drugs have reportedly improved symptoms in many cases, the effectiveness of antiviral therapy is difficult to measure due to the rarity of the disease and its recurrent and spontaneous nature.[1] While aseptic meningitis usually is not fatal, serious complications such as encephalitis and coma can develop in severe cases.[3]
Last updated: 1/25/2019
Mollaret meningitis is characterized by recurrent episodes of viral meningitis. The episodes of meningitis usually last from two to five days and then go away on their own, but the time in between episodes varies among people with the disease, from weeks to years.[1][2] Some people have milder symptoms during recurrences, which do not necessarily require hospitalization.[1]

Symptoms during an episode commonly include:[1][2][3]
  • severe headache
  • fever
  • stiff neck
  • nausea and vomiting
  • sensitivity to light (photophobia) or sound
  • feeling tired or unwell (malaise)
  • muscle pain
Some people experience temporary neurological symptoms, such as:[1][2][3]
Each recurrence of meningitis increases the risk for a person to develop permanent neurological problems or disability, which occur in about half of people with Mollaret meningitis. Various long-term symptoms have been reported, including:[1]
  • cognitive impairment
  • memory loss
  • problems with balance and coordination
  • hearing or vision problems
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • speech problems
  • epilepsy
Last updated: 1/25/2019

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In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Mollaret meningitis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  • I have had seven episodes of Mollaret meningitis and I am curious about how rare this condition is. See answer


  1. Information on Recurrent Viral Meningitis (Mollaret’s). Recurrent Meningitis Association. https://recurrentmeningitis.org/rvm-information/. Accessed 1/14/2019.
  2. Tunkel AR. Aseptic meningitis in adults. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; 2018; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/aseptic-meningitis-in-adults.
  3. Ramachandran TS. Aseptic Meningitis. Medscape Reference. July 17, 2018; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1169489.
  4. Rosenberg J, Galen BT. Recurrent Meningitis. Curr Pain Headache Rep. July, 2017; 21(7):33. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28551737.