POSH Spice Victoria Beckham was told to rest by doctors yesterday after being struck down with viral meningitis.

Beckham is coincidentally the patron of the Meningitis Research Foundation and earlier this year launched its Babywatch campaign. A spokeswoman for the charity said: "We are talking to her and her family and she is at home resting. We never thought we would be giving help and advice to our own patron."

Viral meningitis (as opposed to the more dangerous bacterial form) is caused by many different viruses, but about 90% of cases are due to a group called enteroviruses. For instance, someone may get gastroenteritis. The virus which has caused that then spreads to the lining (meninges) of the brain, causing viral meningitis.