Early diagnosis and treatment of meningitis very important
By Michele Messem, BSMT,
Infection Preventionist, Wooster Community Hospital
November 22, 2011
375
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is the more common type and usually does not cause severe illness. Bacterial meningitis is less common but is very serious. These two types of meningitis share the same symptoms.
Symptoms of meningitis include fever, altered mental status, nausea and vomiting, severe headache, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, irritability, and sleepiness.
Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If symptoms occur, you should see a doctor immediately. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health and perform an exam. To diagnose meningitis, the doctor may also do a spinal tap, in which a small amount of the cerebrospinal fluid is removed and tested in a lab. It is important to know the cause of meningitis because the severity of the illness and the treatment will be different depending on the cause.
There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. The symptoms typically last from seven to 10 days, and people with normal immune systems usually recover completely. Doctors may prescribe bed rest, fluids, and possibly medication to treat fever and headache. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of antibiotics depending on the type of bacteria involved. It is important that the treatment be started early in the course of the bacterial illness to help prevent severe complications and to reduce the spread of infection from person to person.
There are a few actions you can take to help prevent meningitis. Keeping up to date with recommended immunizations is the best defense. Maintaining healthy habits, like getting plenty of rest and practicing good hygiene can also help reduce your chances of becoming infected. Good hygiene practices include washing your hands thoroughly and often, covering your cough, and avoiding kissing or sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil with people who are sick.
For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov.
