Prevention

Vaccination
• Vaccines prepare the immune system by exposing the body to a germ so that it
is better able to fight an infection when it occurs. Vaccines contain either parts of
a germ, live but weakened germs, or inactivated (dead) germs.
• The vaccines available protect against the three major causes of bacterial
meningitis, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal meningitis and Haemophilus
Influenza Type b.
Meningitis-preventing vaccines have proven to be extremely safe. Because they are
composed of purified polysaccharide and protein, there is no possibility of contracting
meningitis or any other infection from these vaccines.

Complications
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; blood-clotting disorder)
• Encephalitis
• Persistent fever
• Seizures
• Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH; causes fluid build-up)
• Prompt medical treatment decreases the risk for brain damage and long-term
complications, including these:
• Behavioral and personality changes
• Vision loss (partial or total)
• Cerebral palsy
• Hearing loss (partial or total)
• Learning disabilities or mental retardation
• Paralysis (partial or total)
• Speech loss (partial or total)
• Severe bacterial meningitis also may cause the head and heels to bend
backward and the body to bow forward (called opisthotonos), coma, and death.
• Newborns and young children may develop heart, liver, intestinal problems, or
malformed limbs.
Treatment
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 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
• Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce swelling in the brain, and an
anticonvulsant medication to control seizures.