How is meningitis treated?

Most individuals with viral meningitis usually start getting better within three days of feeling sick and recover within two weeks. However, it is important to see a healthcare professional if symptoms of meningitis develop so bacterial meningitis can be ruled out, which is more serious. With mild cases of viral meningitis, the individual may only need home treatment, including fluids to prevent dehydration and medicine to control pain and fever. If they do not get better or if symptoms get worse, the individual may need further testing to check for other causes of illness.

Bacterial or severe viral meningitis may require treatment in a hospital, including antibiotics, steroids, medications for pain, intravenous (IV, or in the veins) therapy, and oxygen therapy.

Antibiotics: These medicines usually are given through a vein (intravenously, or IV) to treat meningitis. Antibiotics used to treat bacterial meningitis include penicillin (PenG®), ampicillin (Omnipen®), ceftriaxone (Rocephin®), and rifampin (Rifadin®). Antifungal drugs may be used to treat fungal meningitis, including fluconazole (Diflucan®).

Steroids: Measures to reduce pressure within the brain include steroid (corticosteroid) prescription medications. If meningitis is causing pressure within the brain, corticosteroid medicines such as dexamethasone (Decadron®) may be given to adults or children.

Fever reduction: Measures to reduce fever include medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), fluids, and good room ventilation. If a high fever is present (over 102 degrees Fahrenheit), the individual may also need a device such as a cooling pad placed on the bed.

Seizures: Measures to prevent seizures are also used in susceptible individuals. If the individual is prone to seizures, their surroundings will be kept quiet and calm. Medicines such as phenobarbital or dilantin (Phenytoin®) are used to treat seizures.

You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Most people with viral meningitis usually start getting better within 3 days of feeling sick, and they recover within 2 weeks. With mild cases of viral meningitis, you may only need home treatment, including drinking extra fluids and taking medicine for pain and fever.

Bacterial or severe viral meningitis may require treatment in a hospital, including:

• Medicines such as antibiotics, corticosteroids, and medicines to reduce fever.
• Oxygen therapy, if you have trouble breathing.
• Supportive care. In the hospital, doctors watch the person closely and provide care if needed. For example, you may need to drink extra liquids or get fluids in a vein (IV).

Most healthy adults who have recovered from meningitis don't need follow-up care.

But adults who have other medical problems that make them more likely to have long-term complications or get meningitis again should see their doctors after recovery.

Babies and children always need follow-up care after recovery. They need to be checked for long-term complications such as hearing loss.

People who are very sick may need to be treated in the intensive care unit of a hospital. They may need one or both of these additional treatments:

• Oxygen therapy, to help them breathe and to reduce the amount of work on the heart. A pulse oximeter often is used to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. Also, if people are too sick to breathe on their own, they may need a machine called a ventilator.
• Suctioning, to remove mucus from the bronchial tubes. A small plastic tube is inserted into the mouth or nose. The tube is attached to a machine that gently sucks out mucus. Other treatments, such as breathing exercises and massage, also can be used to remove mucus.