Your doctor may start antibiotic treatment even before test results are in if he or she strongly suspects bacterial meningitis. Antibiotics are given in a hospital through an intravenous (IV) line, which means it is through a needle inserted in a vein. IV antibiotics are given for up to two weeks. You or your child will also be given fluids to replace those lost through fever and vomiting. Recovery is usually complete, especially in children, if the infection is treated within the first few hours. Because bacterial meningitis is contagious, patients should not resume normal activities until they have approval from their doctor. If you have been exposed to bacterial meningitis, your doctor may give you antibiotics to help prevent the infection.
Early treatment of antibiotics can reduce swelling and inflammation in the brain and prevent injury and death. Corticosteroids also may be given to reduce inflammation. It is important to remember that timing is crucial. If you or your child has symptoms of bacterial meningitis, go to the nearest emergency room right away. If doctors suspect meningitis, they will diagnose it using a spinal tap, blood tests (including blood cultures) and sometimes a CT Scan. Because of the small window of time between when swelling in the brain begins and when brain damage occurs, antibiotics are administered usually intravenously. Antibiotics are typically continued for one to three weeks. Children with bacterial meningitis are admitted to the hospital for treatment and monitoring while awaiting the results of spinal fluid tests, and for doctors to look for a source of the infection, such as a sinus infection. It is also important that doctors find out which type of bacteria has caused the meningitis because some strains of bacteria, such as meningococcus, are more contagious than others.
Self-care tips
Because immediate treatment is so important to recovery, seek medical treatment for yourself or your child as soon as you observe any symptoms of bacterial meningitis, especially high fever combined with headache, lethargy, and stiff neck. If you or your child has bacterial meningitis, you should wash your hands frequently to avoid passing the infection on to others. Do not share food or eating utensils, and avoid contact with bodily fluids, such as saliva. Children should routinely be immunized with the Hemophilus influenzae type B vaccine, which can help prevent a common type of childhood meningitis. There is also a vaccine available that can prevent some forms of meningitis. This is commonly given to people who live in areas where there are epidemics of bacterial meningitis.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
