About this topic
Aseptic meningitis causes swelling of the tissues around your brain area. Most often it is due to a virus. Sometimes, it can be from a germ that is not a bacteria or a virus. This kind of meningitis can be a rare side effect of certain drugs or cancer. ‚
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Stay away from those who are sick with colds and flu. Stay away from crowded places.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Keep your home clean. Use disinfectant to clean anything that you may touch or use often such as drawer handles, doorknobs, or remote controls.
- Avoid smoking. Ask for help if you are having problems quitting.
- Learn how to manage and cope with stress by deep breathing or listening to music. This may help you to heal.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Treat the virus
- Lower fever
- Help with pain
- Help with nausea
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Ask your doctor about driving.
- Talk to your doctor about when you may go back to work.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing. You can also cough into your elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues.
- Avoid mosquito bites.
- Do not get close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Take vitamin C to help build up your bodys ability to fight disease.
- Get a flu shot each year.
- Ask your doctor about shots against meningitis.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Someone else in the family shows signs of meningitis like headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, or rash
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you ways to help prevent this infection.
- I can tell you what I will do if someone else in my family has a headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, or a rash.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/meningitis.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚