What is the choice treatment for meningococcal meningitis?
Penicillin is the drug of choice for the treatment of meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. Chemoprophylactic antimicrobials most commonly used to eradicate meningococci include rifampin, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), ceftriaxone.
What is the best antibiotic for meningitis?
In most cases of bacterial meningitis a broad spectrum cephalosporin (cefotaxime or ceftriaxone) is the most appropriate empirical choice in children over 3 months old. These cover Neisseria meningitides, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae, and penetrate CSF well.
How is early meningitis treated?
Treatment to ease symptoms includes rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medicine. If bacterial meningitis is diagnosed — or even suspected — doctors will start intravenous (IV) antibiotics as soon as possible. Fluids may be given to replace those lost to fever, sweating, vomiting, and poor appetite.
How is meningococcal infection treated?
Doctors treat meningococcal disease with a number of antibiotics. It is important that treatment start as soon as possible. If a doctor suspects meningococcal disease, they will give the patient antibiotics right away. Antibiotics help reduce the risk of dying.
Does meningitis require surgery?
No surgical therapy is usually indicated in patients with viral meningitis. In rare patients in whom viral meningitis is complicated by hydrocephalus, a CSF diversion procedure, such as ventriculoperitoneal (VP) or LP shunting, may be required.
What are the treatment options for viral meningitis?
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
When is dexdexamethasone indicated in the treatment of bacterial meningitis?
Dexamethasone should be given before or at the time of antibiotic administration to patients older than six weeks who present with clinical features concerning for bacterial meningitis.
Can viral meningitis go away on its own?
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.
When is a lumbar puncture indicated in the evaluation of meningitis?
Lumbar puncture may be performed without computed tomography of the brain if there are no risk factors for an occult intracranial abnormality. Appropriate antimicrobials should be given promptly if bacterial meningitis is suspected, even if the evaluation is ongoing.