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Spinal Meningitis Treatment

Spinal Meningitis comes in two forms: Bacterial and Viral. The treatments for each are specific to the conditions and symptoms experienced by the patients. Cases of meningitis can vary from very mild to severe and life-threatening, but all should be treated by a trained physician.

  1. Bacterial Meningitis

    • Acute bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. The specific type of bacteria causing the infection determines the exact antibiotic treatment that will be used. Doctors will administer the antibiotics intravenously. Doctors may use a broad-spectrum antibiotic for immediate treatment while they wait to determine the bacteria involved and can then treat that bacteria with the necessary antibiotics.

    Viral Meningitis

    • Antibiotics are unsuccessful in treating viral meningitis. Most cases of viral meningitis improve on their own without specific treatment. Doctors may also recommend bed rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications for pain and fever.

    Treating Secondary Symptoms

    • Meningitis may carry with it additional symptoms which need to be treated separately. Doctors may treat meningitis patients for brain swelling, shock, or convulsions or seizures. These treatments may require hospitalization, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Occasionally, doctors also need to drain excess fluid from the sinuses or the area between the brain and its surrounding membranes as a result of meningitis.

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