refinnej said:It is usually caused by bacteria or fungus.
It is actually mainly caused by viruses or bacteria (in the developed world). Fungal meningitis is very, very rare.
Brutus, did a specific virus get found? Eg was it an enterovirus (like a 'coxsackie' virus or 'echo' virus)? Some of these can also cause pericarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart). Did you get an ECG/EKG done? (This might diagnose pericarditis or an abnormal heart rhythm). Did you get an echocardiogram done? (This to look for any fluid in the pericardial space to explain the high HR).
If your heart is unaffected directly and the high HR is just due to systemic inflammation, then it is (unfortunately) a matter of taking it easy and letting your body recover. How long this takes - everyone varies but most take at least a few weeks. Don't push yourself hard, especially not if your resting HR is still high. Obviously this is a pretty serious condition and you have to let yourself recover. Drugs won't help, just rest, healthy diet and avoid dehydration. If the pain is still bad, simple analgesia to make it more bearable eg acetaminophen/paracetamol, ibuprofen.