My son had viral meningitis twice between ages 12-15. He had real bad headaches, stiff neck and was vomiting a lot and had to be hospitalized both times. He got very sick, but it was better than if he had bacterial meningitis which can be harder to recover from. He does a lot better now(He is 18 now), it seemed like it compromised his immune system for awhile but now he is doing fine. It does take awhile to get their strength back but probably even longer and can be more dangerous and contageous with bacterial meningitis.