Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for bacterial meningitis

by Prof. Willis Jacobson Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Acute bacterial meningitis must be treated immediately with intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids. This helps to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications, such as brain swelling and seizures. The antibiotic or combination of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection.Oct 1, 2020

Medication

The diagnostic requirements essential for satisfactory management are defined and the antibiotic therapy of meningitis is discussed in detail. Data obtained from both experimental and clinical meningitis are indicative that a minimum bactericidal titre of 1:10 should be achieved in the cerebrospinal fluid for optimal therapeutic results. Recommendations are given for specific …

Self-care

Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics. A general intravenous antibiotic with a corticosteroid to bring down the inflammation may be prescribed even before all the test results are in. When the specific bacteria are identified, your doctor may decide to change antibiotics.

Nutrition

GUIDELINE FOR TREATMENT OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS IN ADULTS Patient Population & Common Pathogens Empiric Treatment Regimen Duration of Therapy Comments & Reference Age >18 N. meningitidis S. pneumoniae L. monocytogenes (age >50) Aerobic GNR (age >50) 1st line: Ceftriaxone 2 g IV q12h + Vancomycin* IV (see

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What antibiotics treat bacterial meningitis?

Commonly used meningitis treatments include a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins, especially Claforan (cefotaxime) and Rocephin (ceftriaxone). Various penicillin-type antibiotics, aminoglycoside drugs such as gentamicin, and others, are also used.Nov 5, 2009

Can you survive bacterial meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is serious. Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.Jul 15, 2021

What kills bacterial meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis requires immediate hospitalization. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent brain damage and death. Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics and steroids. There's no specific antibiotic for bacterial meningitis.

What is the survival rate of bacterial meningitis?

Prognosis of meningitis depends on the cause. Untreated bacterial meningitis has a very high death rate. Even with appropriate treatment, the death rate from bacterial meningitis is about 15-20%, with a higher death rate associated with increasing age.

What is the main cause of meningitis?

Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is the most common and least serious type. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be very serious if not treated.

What are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis?

The most common symptoms of bacterial meningitis are:Painful, stiff neck with limited range of motion.Headaches.High fever.Feeling confused or sleepy.Bruising easily all over the body.A rash on the skin.Sensitivity to light.

What are 3 treatments of meningitis?

Treatment of mild cases of viral meningitis usually includes: Bed rest. Plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter pain medications to help reduce fever and relieve body aches.Oct 1, 2020

What are the 3 types of meningitis?

The three types of meningitis are viral meningitis, fungal meningitis, and bacterial meningitis. The meninges are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis occurs when these membranes become inflamed, potentially causing serious complications for the nervous system.Dec 18, 2020

Who is generally at highest risk for meningitis Why?

Age – In general, young children are at the highest risk of getting bacterial meningitis and septicaemia but other age groups can also be vulnerable to specific types. Geography and environment - Some countries have higher rates of meningitis and septicaemia.

Are there vaccines for bacterial meningitis?

Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) is highly effective at protecting against four strains of the meningococcal bacteria. Three strains are common in the United States and the fourth strain protects travelers to certain countries where the disease is more common.

What are the chances of dying from bacterial meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is of particular concern. Around 1 in 10 people who get this type of meningitis die and 1 in 5 have severe complications. Safe affordable vaccines are the most effective way to deliver long-lasting protection.Sep 28, 2021

How common is bacterial meningitis in adults?

In the United States, approximately 2,600 sporadic cases of Bacterial Meningitis are reported each year. Meningitis caused by pneumococcal infections affects about 1.1 in 100,000 individuals. Meningitis caused by haemophilus influenza affects about . 2 in 100,000 individuals.

What Is Bacterial Meningitis?

Acute bacterial meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Approximately 80% of all cases are acute bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningit...

Who Gets Bacterial Meningitis?

Children between the ages of 1 month and 2 years are the most susceptible to bacterial meningitis.Adults with certain risk factors are also suscept...

What Causes Bacterial Meningitis?

The bacteria most often responsible for bacterial meningitis are common in the environment and can also be found in your nose and respiratory syste...

What Are The Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis?

You want to watch for high fever, headaches, and an inability to lower your chin to your chest due to stiffness in the neck.In older children and a...

Causes

Risk Factors

How It Spreads

Signs and Symptoms

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Mild infection recovers within 2 weeks. Medication and therapies are necessary for severe cases. Bacterial or fungal meningitis is frequently life-threatening and requires urgent diagnosis and treatment.
Medication

Antibiotics: Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics.

Cefotaxime . Ceftriaxone


Antifungals: Used to treat fungal infections.

Clotrimazole . Econazole . Miconazole . Terbinafine


Antivirals: Antivirals can be prescribed by doctor

Amantadine . Rimantadine . Oseltamivir . Zanamivir


Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are prescribed for non-infectious type of meningitis.

Prednisolone . Triamcinolone . Methylprednisolone

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Rest
  • Increase fluid intake

Nutrition

  • No foods are known to prevent or change the clinical course of meningitis. If suspected, urgent medical attention is vital.

Specialist to consult

Neurologist
Specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system, which includes the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves.
Infectious Disease Specialist
Specializes in dealing with the diagnosis, control and treatment of infections.

Diagnosis

  • Several types of bacteria can cause meningitis. Leading causes in the United States include 1. Streptococcus pneumoniae 2. Group B Streptococcus 3. Neisseria meningitidis 4. Haemophilus influenzae 5. Listeria monocytogenes 6. Escherichia coli Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis or TB, is a less common cause of bacterial meningitis (called TB meningitis…
See more on cdc.gov

Treatment

  • Certain factors increase a person’s risk for getting bacterial meningitis. These risk factors include: 1. Age: Babies are at increased risk for bacterial meningitis compared to people in other age groups. However, people of any age can develop bacterial meningitis. See section above for which bacteria more commonly affect which age groups. 2. Group setting: Infectious diseases tend to …
See more on cdc.gov

Prevention

  • Certain germs that cause bacterial meningitis, such as L. monocytogenes, can spread through food. But most of these germs spread from one person to another. How people spread the germs often depends on the type of bacteria. It is also important to know that people can have these bacteria in or on their bodies without being sick. These people are “carriers.” Most carriers neve…
See more on cdc.gov

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