Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has missed the team’s last five games with a viral infection. On Sunday, USA Today reported Cousins is specifically dealing with a case of viral meningitis.
DeMarcus Cousins has viral meningitis and is expected out seven to 10 more days, @sam_amick and @JeffZillgitt report: http://t.co/damzGa3K2q
— USA TODAY Sports NBA (@usatodaynba) December 7, 2014
Meningitis is an infection that directly affects the central nervous system. In the condition, the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord, clinically known as the meninges, becomes inflamed. Meningitis can either be bacterial or viral in nature depending on the root of the inflammation. Fortunately for Cousins, he has contracted the less severe of the two and is not at risk for the severe side effects associated with bacterial meningitis that includes brain damage and potentially even death.
Viral meningitis is often linked to a virus in the enterovirus classification, a common family of viruses that infect millions of people annually. The symptoms associated with viral meningitis include fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle pain, and chills. Because Cousins’ illness is viral in nature, antibiotics are not an option. Instead Cousins was admitted to the hospital where he likely was prescribed medication to treat the symptoms.
The incident is likely to leave Cousins fatigued and the time off will affect his overall conditioning. According to the USA Today report, the Kings are hopeful he can resume basketball related activities in seven to 10 days and will monitor his status daily.
Meningitis in the NBA is practically unprecedented. The InStreetClothes.com database does not include one specific diagnosis of viral meningitis, though forward Luol Deng did undergo a spinal tap during the 2013 playoffs to rule out the illness. Several NFL players have managed viral meningitis and multiple high school and college teams have been temporarily suspended to manage viral outbreaks. Viral meningitis has also emerged in professional soccer. Part of the problem is the tendency for viral infections to spread rapidly through locker rooms given the proximity of the individuals. Earlier this season a stomach virus decimated the Memphis Grizzlies with seven players contracting the illness.
Fortunately for the Kings, even if one of Cousins’ teammates were to catch the virus that caused his illness, it wouldn’t necessarily manifest as meningitis. Regardless, expect Manny Romero and the rest of the Kings medical staff to be proactive with their preventative approach.
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Even if they do fire Karl, who would want to coach the team at this point? I’d say play the season out and figure it out in the off-season. The last thing this team needs is another in-season coaching change for the second year in a row.