Meningitis

Diagnosing meningitis starts with a health history and physical exam. Age, dorm residence, and daycare center attendance can be important clues. During the physical exam, your doctor will look for:

fever

skin issues

increased heart rate

neck stiffness

reduced consciousness

Your doctor will also order a lumbar puncture. This test is also called a spinal tap. It allows your doctor to analyze the cerebral spinal fluid, which contains a number of clues regarding an infection. Some of the clues in the cerebral spinal fluid can be glucose, white blood cell count, and red blood cell count. This test can also determine the best antibiotic for treatment.

Other tests may also be ordered to diagnose meningitis. Common tests include the following:

Blood cultures identify bacteria in the blood. Bacteria can travel from the blood to the brain. N. meningitidis and S. pneumonia, among others, can cause both sepsis and meningitis.

A complete blood count with differential is a general index of health. It checks the number of red and white blood cells in your blood. White blood cells fight infection. The count is usually elevated in meningitis.

Chest X-rays can reveal the presence of pneumonia, tuberculosis, or fungal infections. Meningitis can occur after pneumonia.

A CT scan of the head may show problems like a brain abscess or or intercranial pressure. Bacteria can spread from the sinuses to the meninges.

The treatment depends on the type of meningitis you or your child has.

Bacterial meningitis

Acute bacterial meningitis must be treated immediately with intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids. This helps to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications, such as brain swelling and seizures.

The antibiotic or combination of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection. Your doctor may recommend a broad-spectrum antibiotic until he or she can determine the exact cause of the meningitis.

Your doctor may drain any infected sinuses or mastoids — the bones behind the outer ear that connect to the middle ear.

Viral meningitis

Antibiotics can't cure viral meningitis, and most cases improve on their own in several weeks. Treatment of mild cases of viral meningitis usually includes:

Bed rest

Plenty of fluids

Over-the-counter pain medications to help reduce fever and relieve body aches