Bacterial meningitis Symptom and Treatment

Bacterial meningitis is less common than viral meningitis but is usually much more serious and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Bacterial meningitis or septicaemia need urgent hospital treatment including antibiotics, usually given with a "drip" directly into a vein (intravenously).

For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people.

Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, but new vaccines being given to all children as part of their routine immunizations have reduced the occurrence of invasive disease due to H. influenzae. Today, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis Symptom

The patient usually begins to feel vaguely unwell and may develop headache and a raised temperature ( fever ). There may also be vomiting. Unfortunately many ordinary germs start in this way, and certain other features can help to alert us to the possibility of meningitis.

Meningitis

Meningitis symptom

Spinal meningitis symptom

Bacterial meningitis symptom

Viral meningitis symptom

Meningococcal meningitis