Families of students at Southwest Junior High and of players on the freshman football team at Free State High School are being encouraged to practice good hygiene, now that a student and teammate has been diagnosed with viral meningitis.

Symptoms of the viral illness — which is considered less severe than bacterial meningitis — include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, sleepiness and nausea.

The illness can be caused by any of a number of viruses, including those that cause chicken pox, shingles or even flu, said Lisa Horn, a spokeswoman for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. The illness can take up to two weeks to clear up.

“This is not anything to be overly concerned about,” Horn said. “It’s a virus, and a lot of people — the majority of people — don’t even go to symptoms. It’s something the body can handle on its own.”

Still, anyone thinking they might have viral meningitis should seek medical attention, she said.

Southwest Principal Trish Bransky sent a note home with students Thursday, advising them and their families about the illness and the importance of always following good hygiene practices and safety precautions: washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and refusing to share water bottles or utensils.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, viral meningitis is serious but rarely fatal in people with normal immune symptoms. But because its symptoms are the same as for bacterial meningitis — an illness that can cause disability or death if not treated promptly — people with symptoms are encouraged to see a doctor as soon as possible.