Meningitis treatment
Treatment for meningitis differs depending on the type of meningitis
How is bacterial meningitis treated?
Bacterial meningitis needs urgent treatment with antibiotics and rapid admission to hospital. Whilst in hospital, other treatments, procedures and investigations will be carried out depending on the patient’s condition.
Lumbar puncture
One of the main investigations carried out to test if someone has meningitis is a lumbar puncture. This allows the doctor to quickly make a diagnosis of meningitis by analysing the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that protects the brain and spinal cord. This fluid becomes infected when a patient has meningitis.
Sometimes treatment with antibiotics is started because the patient’s condition is too serious for a lumbar puncture to be performed. In these cases the lumbar puncture can be done when the patient’s condition has improved.
Admission to hospital
If someone is seriously ill, they will require specialist care and treatment in an intensive care unit. Here the doctors and nurses can closely monitor their condition, respond to emergencies and provide immediate support when it is needed. Appropriate hospital care and treatment are essential if the patient is to make a good recovery.
How is viral meningitis treated?
Antibiotics are not effective against viruses although, in some instances, antibiotics may be started on admission to hospital because the cause of meningitis is not known. Antibiotics are usually discontinued if viral meningitis is diagnosed.
Meningitis treatment
There is no specific treatment for most cases of viral meningitis. Patients need to be hydrated with fluids, given painkillers and allowed to rest in order to make as complete a recovery as possible. As an exception to this, if the herpes simplex virus is identified as the cause, treatment is possible with the antiviral drug Aciclovir.
Have you been affected by meningitis and need support?
We can help you today. We are dedicated to supporting people after meningitis and have a wide range of specialist services. They are all free, with no waiting lists and our support is for life.
