Brad Pitt Diagnosed With Viral Meningitis

Brad Pitt Diagnosed With Viral Meningitis (AP)

Actor Brad Pitt has been diagnosed with a mild case of viral meningitis and was released from the hospital Wednesday, his publicist said. Pitt, 41, checked himself into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Monday night complaining of flu-like symptoms. He went home Wednesday afternoon, publicist Cindy Guagenti said. “The actor is at home and doing well,” she said in a statement.

Most patients recover from viral meningitis in a week. Severe illness and death is uncommon, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Pitt was in Ethiopia last week with his “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” co-star Angelina Jolie to pick up the actress’ newly adopted baby girl, the second child she has adopted. Guagenti declined Wednesday to say if Pitt contracted the illness while in Africa.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a helpful fact sheet on the disease, which is both more common and less dangerous than I’d thought. Most likely, he got it in Africa, since the incubation period is 3-7 days.