Bacterial Meningitis

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is meningitis? " пїЅ Meningitis is a condition that can cause a fever, headache, and stiff neck. It happens when the lining that covers the brain and spinal cord (called the "meninges " пїЅ) gets inflamed or infected. пїЅ пїЅ

There are 2 main types of meningitis, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria cause bacterial meningitis. Viruses cause viral meningitis. Both types of meningitis can cause similar symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ

It is very important that doctors figure out what kind of meningitis a person has. Thats because bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. If it is not treated quickly, it can lead to brain problems such as hearing loss or learning problems. It can also lead to death. пїЅ пїЅ

This article discusses bacterial meningitis. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis? " пїЅ Symptoms of bacterial meningitis usually come on suddenly, so people can get very sick over a short period of time. Common symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Fever " пїЅ But some people have a temperature that is lower than normal instead of a fever.
Headache
Stiff neck " пїЅ This happens most often in adults and children. Babies might not get a stiff neck.
Nausea or vomiting
Acting confused, or being hard to wake up
Having light bother a person's eyes
A rash that looks like red or purple spots on the skin that do not go away when touched
Seizures " пїЅ Seizures are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can make people pass out, or move or behave strangely.

Babies can also have other symptoms, including: пїЅ пїЅ

Being more sleepy or fussy than usual
Not feeding well
A bulging soft spot on the skull

Should I see the doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Yes. If you have a fever, headache, and stiff neck, go to the emergency room right away. If you think your child has meningitis, bring him or her to the emergency room right away. пїЅ пїЅ

Will I have tests? " пїЅ Yes. Your doctor will learn about your symptoms and do an exam. He or she will do tests to make sure you have meningitis and see what type of bacteria is causing the infection. The tests can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Blood tests
A lumbar puncture (sometimes called a "spinal tap " пїЅ) " пїЅ During this procedure, a doctor puts a thin needle into your lower back and removes a small amount of spinal fluid. Spinal fluid is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. He or she will do lab tests on the spinal fluid.
A CT scan of the brain " пїЅ This is an imaging test that creates pictures of the brain.

How is bacterial meningitis treated? " пїЅ People are treated in the hospital with: пїЅ пїЅ

Antibiotic medicines that go into a vein through a tube called an "IV " пїЅ " пїЅ The antibiotics used depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
Fluids and other medicines that go into a vein " пїЅ These medicines sometimes include "steroids. " пїЅ The steroids help protect your brain from the effects of the bacterial meningitis. They are different from the steroids athletes take to build muscle.

Can bacterial meningitis be spread from 1 person to another? " пїЅ Sometimes. It depends on the type of bacteria that's causing the infection. Some types of bacteria can be spread from 1 person to another. пїЅ пїЅ

Can bacterial meningitis be prevented? " пїЅ Sometimes. Certain vaccines can help prevent bacterial meningitis. Vaccines are treatments that can prevent certain serious infections. пїЅ пїЅ

To help prevent bacterial meningitis, make sure that you and your children have had all of the vaccines you need to prevent the following infections: пїЅ пїЅ

Meningococcus
Pneumococcus
Haemophilus influenzae type b, called "Hib " пїЅ (for babies and young children)

If someone in your home has bacterial meningitis, ask your doctor or nurse if you should take antibiotics. Sometimes, other people at home need to take antibiotics to keep from getting the infection. пїЅ пїЅ

Plus, you can help avoid getting sick by washing your hands well before eating, and not sharing cups or silverware. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 16956 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Bacterial Meningitis

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

Copyright