Meningitis results from the inflammation of the meninges (the thin membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord). It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Most cases of meningitis are viral, but it can be hard to pinpoint without invasive testing. It is extremely important to determine the type of infection (and bacteria) because bacterial meningitis tends to be much more serious and requires emergency treatment. Viral meningitis usually clears up on its own and does not cause any permanent damage. Bacterial meningitis can cause brain damage, learning disabilities, hearing loss, or even death without treatment for the specific type of bacteria. Rarely, meningitis can be caused by fungal infections (cryptococcus).
Signs and SymptomsEarly symptoms of meningitis can easily be mistaken for the flu. In newborns, signs and symptoms include the following:
In children and young adults, signs and symptoms include the following:
Older adults may have no signs or symptoms other than altered mental state and lethargy. Often they have no fever.
What Causes It?Bacterial meningitis is not as common as viral meningitis, but it is more serious. Several types of bacteria can cause meningitis. Knowing the right type is crucial for proper treatment:
Viral meningitis can be caused by several types of viruses, but the most common are enteroviruses (which cause stomach flu and multiply in the intestinal tract). Other viruses that cause meningitis include:
Who is Most At Risk?These conditions and characteristics increase the risk for bacterial meningitis:
What to Expect at Your Provider's OfficeIf you or your child has symptoms of meningitis, seek emergency treatment. Early diagnosis is the key to treating meningitis successfully. Doctors will ask for a detailed medical history and may order a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). In this test, doctors remove cerebrospinal fluid from the spine through a needle so that the fluid can be tested for infection, and to identify the kind of bacteria responsible. If your doctor suspects bacterial meningitis, your doctor may start you on antibiotics before the test results are available.
Treatment Options
PreventionChildren should be vaccinated against H. influenzae and mumps. People over 50 and those whose immune systems are compromised should receive a pneumococcal vaccine (PPV). A meningococcal vaccine may be given to control epidemics in dormitories, for example. Because meningitis is usually contagious, practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and teaching children to do the same, can reduce your risk of catching the disease.
Drug TherapiesThe length and type of treatment varies depending on the kind of meningitis being treated, ranging from 1 to 3 weeks. The treatment for most cases of viral meningitis is aimed at reducing symptoms of fever and aches. Sometimes, doctors prescribe acyclovir, an antiviral drug. If your doctor suspects bacterial meningitis, he may prescribe immediate treatment with antibiotics, even before the lab results come in. Some of the medications used for bacterial meningitis are:
Complementary and Alternative TherapiesMeningitis must be treated with conventional medical therapies, especially antibiotics. Complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) should be used only with conventional treatment, not in place of it, and only under the guidance of a qualified health professional. Some supplements and herbs may help strengthen the immune system. Tell all your providers about any CAM therapies you may be using. Nutrition and SupplementsSeveral nutrients can help strengthen the immune system, possibly helping to prevent meningitis or to build up the immune system after meningitis has been treated, though scientific studies have not examined these nutrients specifically for meningitis. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, and never treat a child without talking to your doctor first. You may address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:
HerbsHerbs are generally available as standardized, dried extracts (pills, capsules, or tablets), teas, or tinctures/liquid extracts (alcohol extraction, unless otherwise noted). Mix liquid extracts with favorite beverage. Dose for teas is 1 to 2 heaping tsps per cup water steeped for 10 to 15 minutes (roots need longer). Some herbs may help support your immune system, although there is no evidence they can prevent or treat meningitis. Meningitis is a medical emergency and should never be treated with herbs alone.
HomeopathyMeningitis must be treated by a medical doctor using conventional medical treatments. According to the National Institutes of Health, there is little evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment for any specific health condition. Also, while most homeopathic remedies contain small amounts of the active ingredient, they may still have side effects and drug interactions. If you choose a homeopathic product to use on your own, it's best to talk with your health care provider before you use it to check for possible side effects or drug interactions.
Prognosis/Possible ComplicationsAbout 15% of people with bacterial meningitis die from it. Among people who survive bacterial meningitis, 30% have lingering neurological problems. Most people who get viral meningitis recover completely without any problems. However, some people will experience headaches, weakness, and fatigue for 2 to 3 weeks after symptoms begin. Complications of meningitis may include hearing loss, seizures, cerebral edema (brain swelling), weakness on one side of the body, speech problems, visual impairment or blindness, difficulty coordinating movements, trouble breathing, respiratory arrest, and recurring meningitis. Children who have meningitis may experience cognitive impairment and developmental delay.
Following UpFor the first 1 to 2 days, doctors should monitor people in the intensive care unit to be sure:
If signs and symptoms do not improve after 1 to 2 days, health care providers should check the cerebrospinal fluid again.
Special ConsiderationsPregnant women often carry L. monocytogenes and S. agalactiae without having symptoms and may pass these infections to their children during birth. Pregnant women should not take rifampin to prevent meningitis because it is not clear whether this drug may harm the fetus.
Supporting ResearchCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Meningitis. www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/index.html. Updated February 12, 2024. Accessed June 2, 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Meningitis: about viral meningitis. www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/viral-meningitis.html. Updated January 9, 2024. Accessed June 2, 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Pneumococcal disease: clinical overview of pneumococcal disease. www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html.Updated February 6, 2024. Accessed June 2, 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Pneumococcal disease: pneumococcal vaccine recommendations. www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/hcp/vaccine-recommendations/index.html. Updated October 26, 2024. Accessed June 3, 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Yellow book: meningococcal disease. www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-associated-infections-diseases/meningococcal-disease.html. Updated April 23, 2025. Accessed June 3, 2025. Hasbun R. Meningitis and encephalitis. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 57 Hasbun R, Van de Beek D, Brouwer MC, Tunkel AR. Acute meningitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 87. Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Meningitis. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 100. Mukherjee D, Ryan RM. Postnatal bacterial infections. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 50. Nath A. Meningitis: bacterial, viral, and other. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 381. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine website. Cat's claw. www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cats-claw. Updated November 2024. Accessed June 17, 2025. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine website. Coenzyme Q10. www.nccih.nih.gov/health/coenzyme-q10. Updated January 2019. Accessed June 17, 2025. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine website. Garlic. www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic. Updated February 2025. Accessed June 17, 2025. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine website. Omega-3 supplements: what you need to know. www.nccih.nih.gov/health/omega3-supplements-what-you-need-to-know. Updated November 2024. Accessed June 17, 2025. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine website. Probiotics. www.nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics-usefulness-and-safety. Updated August 2019. Accessed June 17, 2025. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases website. Pneumococcal disease and older adults. www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/pneumococcal-disease-and-older-adults/. Updated October 2024. Accessed June 3, 2025. National Institute of Health. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Meningitis. www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/meningitis. Accessed June 4, 2025. US Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website. Cat's claw. www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cats-claw. Updated November 2024.Accessed June 4, 2025. US Food & Drug Administration website. Listeria (Listeriosis). www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/listeria-listeriosis. Updated January 16, 2025. Accessed June 2, 2025.
Review Date:
4/7/2025 Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
|
|