Patients with bacterial meningitis are usually treated by primary care and emergency medicine physicians at the time of initial presentation, often in consultation with infectious diseases specialists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons. Its typically mild and goes away without treatment. Viral meningitis also known as nonbacterial meningitis is caused by a number of different viruses and is relatively common. It is an uncommon disease but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death. Tests to diagnose meningitis include blood tests, imaging tests, and a spinal tap to test cerebrospinal fluid. However disease from certain viruses such as herpesvirus and influenza requires treatment with an antiviral medication. When hes there, hell get fluids through an iv to prevent dehydration, as well as painkillers. It is important to know the specific cause of meningitis because the treatment differs depending on the cause. Viral meningitis is usually much less severe than other types.
These data indicate that clinical characteristics cannot. Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics, but theres no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Antibiotics, developed to kill bacteria, are not effective against viruses. Antiviral medicines may help some types of viral meningitis. Your doctor might tell you to stay in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and take overthecounter pain medicines if. Reports suggest that acyclovir reduces the severity and duration of symptoms of meningitis due to herpes simplex. Your teen may need only a few days in the hospital. The swelling from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck. Rest, hydration, antipyretics, and pain or antiinflammatory medications may be given as needed. Abstract bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency.
Most cases of meningitis in the united states are caused by a viral infection, but bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections are other causes. Viral meningitis is diagnosed using laboratory tests e. There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Meningitis in children symptoms, warning signs, treatment. Treatment of mild cases of viral meningitis usually includes. Viral meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges associated with acute onset of meningeal symptoms. A health care provider diagnoses viral meningitis by observing the patients symptoms and testing blood and spinal fluid. Treatment in hospital is recommended in all cases of bacterial meningitis, as the condition can cause serious problems and requires close monitoring.
Viral meningitis usually goes away on its own without treatment. Feb 03, 2020 viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in sputum spit, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is caused by an infection with one of several types of viruses. In the 1980s the outcome of patients with herpes simplex virus hsv encephalitis was shown to be dramatically improved with aciclovir treatment.
Your doctor might tell you to stay in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and take overthecounter pain medicines if you have fever or aches. Jan 05, 2008 viral meningitis is a notifiable disease in england and wales, but many cases undoubtedly go unreported. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes meninges surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Vaccines can protect you from the most common bacteria that. Vaccines can protect you from the most common bacteria that cause meningitis, and from. Most cases of aseptic meningitis are viral and require supportive care. Antifungal medications treat fungal meningitis, and a combination of specific antibiotics can treat tuberculous meningitis. Meningitis due to hsv2 recurs in about 20% of patients. How to treat and prevent meningitis everyday health. Feb 03, 2020 viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in saliva, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements.
Untreated, bacterial meningitis is almost always fatal. Less than 1 in 100 people who get infected will develop meningitis. Patients with bacterial meningitis are usually treated by primary care and emergency medicine physicians at the time of initial presentation, often in consultation with infectious diseases specialists, neurologists, and. Viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in saliva, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements. Clinicians need a low threshold for suspecting meningitis, to undertake appropriate investigations and provide treatment in a timely manner, to minimise the risk of poor outcome in bacterial disease, while limiting unnecessary treatment in viral meningitis. Viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis are both characterised by acute onset of fever, headache, photophobia, and neck stiffness, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of the disease to cause serious, longterm complications. For most of the cases, there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membrane covering the brain.
Delays in starting treatment, particularly beyond 48 hours after hospital admission, are associated with a worse prognosis. Fungal meningitis is treated with intravenous antifungal medications. Overthecounter pain medications to help reduce fever and relieve body aches. Doctors diagnose pam using specific laboratory tests that are only available in a few u. Evidence c acyclovir as effective treatment for herpes simplex meningitis. Terminology meningitis meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, manifest by cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis ie, an increased number of white blood cells. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis. Even with appropriate treatment, morbidity and mortality can be substantial. However, these medications can have serious side effects, so treatment may be deferred until a laboratory can confirm that the cause is fungal.
In most cases, no treatment is necessary for viral meningitis. With treatment, mortality risk of death from bacterial meningitis depends on the age of the person and the underlying cause. Viral diagnosis informs prognosis, enhances care of the patient, reduces the use of antibiotics. Review emergency diagnosis and treatment of adult meningitis. Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the protective membrane around the brain and spinal cord. Prevention of the spread of viral meningitis includes frequent hand washing and covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing.
The type of treatment depends on the germ that caused the meningitis. Most children with viral meningitis recover on their own without treatment. Viral meningitis antibiotics cant treat viral meningitis and, in most cases, the infection goes away on its own with time. Recurrent benign lymphocytic meningitis also known as mollaret meningitis is a rare condition thought to be due to viral infection. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining that covers the brain and spinal cord. Antiviral drugs used to treat viral encephalitis include acyclovir and ganciclovir. Bacterial meningitis is very serious because its onset is rapid and the infection is associated with a significant risk of death. Mostly people completely recover on their own within 7 to 10 days.
The most important decision is whether to initiate antimicrobial therapy empirically for bacterial meningitis while waiting for the cause to be identified. Your child may also get a type of viral meningitis if he is bitten by a mosquito that carries the west nile virus. It results in inflammation of the meninges the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Antibiotics cant treat viral meningitis and, in most cases, the infection goes away on its own with time. May 30, 2018 meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Viral meningitis, in contrast, tends to resolve spontaneously and is rarely fatal. All patients with bacterial meningitis and many with viral meningitis will be treated in the hospital. This is normally caused by infection but can also have noninfectious causes.
In general, there are no medications to fight the germs that cause viral meningitis, so treatment is usually aimed at relieving the patients. The frequency of viral meningitis increases slightly in the summer months because of greater exposure to the most common viral agents, called enteroviruses. Viral meningitis is caused by viruses found in sputum spit, blood, nose drainage, and bowel movements. Treatment for chronic meningitis is based on the underlying cause. Jul 17, 2018 treatment for viral meningitis is mostly supportive. Viral meningitis may be suspected on the basis of epidemiologic data, clinical features, and initial cerebrospinal csf studies, but clinical features cannot reliably differentiate viral from bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis requires close monitoring in the hospital. Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. Viral meningitis is caused due to the inflammation of the delicate membranes that protect the meninges. Attributes of good guidelines include validity, reliability, reproducibility, clinical applicability, clinical flexibility, clarity, multidisciplinary process. The virus is spread from an infected person to another by coughing, kissing, or sharing food or drinks. Aseptic meningitis is the most common form of meningitis with an annual incidence of 7. Severe viral meningitis may also be treated in hospital.
Viral meningitis is a notifiable disease in england and wales, but many cases undoubtedly go unreported. Antibiotics are useful only in cases of bacterial meningitis. The virus is spread from an infected person to another through coughing, kissing, or sharing food or drinks. Anecdotal evidence suggests that acyclovir may improve symptoms. Physicians often recommend rest, plenty of fluids, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs to relieve fever and headache. Meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. The objective of these practice guidelines is to provide clinicians with recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis. Other significant causes of viral meningitis are illustrated in table 1. Certain treatments can be helpful, depending on the virus that caused the infection. In general, there are no medications to fight the germs that cause viral meningitis, so treatment is usually aimed at easing the symptoms. Viral meningitis symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms commonly include headache, fever, sensitivity to light and neck stiffness viruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis. Treatment for viral meningitis is mostly supportive. Rapid onset and progression of symptoms over hours is typical and can be helpful to.
Can we use clinical characteristics to predict the absence of intracranial abnormalities associated with increased risk of lumbar puncture. Dec 01, 2015 bacterial meningitis is a severe, lifethreatening infection of the central nervous system that requires immediate medical attention. Viral meningitis nonbacterial meningitis fact sheet. You may also get a type of viral meningitis if you are bitten by a mosquito that carries the west nile virus. Viral meningitis is a virusborne inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This includes rest, fluids, and feverreducing medication. Bacterial meningitis is a severe, lifethreatening infection of the central nervous system that requires immediate medical attention. It can be caused by a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and chemicals. If lumbar puncture is delayed, should we start treatment. In general, there are no medications to fight the germs that cause viral meningitis, so treatment is usually aimed at relieving the patients symptoms. Herpes simplex virus causes viral meningitis, which may recur. Viral meningitis symptoms, diagnosis and treatment bmj. Viral meningitis, also known as aseptic meningitis, is a type of meningitis due to a viral infection.
Viral meningitis treatment algorithm bmj best practice. It is caused by virus, bacteria, as well as other microorganisms. Treatment for viral meningitis is usually supportive aimed at relieving symptoms. This includes rest, fluids, and feverreducing medicine. Early diagnosis of viral meningitis may allow antibiotics to be stopped and patients to be discharged from the hospital. Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria neisseria meningitidis, and causes a more severe disease that requires prompt treatment of the patient with antibiotics. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and etiology in children and viral meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a potentially catastrophic infectious disease associated with substantial mortality and a risk of permanent disability in survivors. Viral meningitis is inflammation of the meninges caused by a variety of different viruses and is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
The early symptoms of pam are similar to other more common illnesses, such as bacterial or viral meningitis. Antibiotics cant cure viral meningitis, and most cases improve on their own in several weeks. The first step in treating viral meningitis is preventing its occurrence and spread. With the exception of the herpes simplex virus, there are no specific medications to treat the organisms that cause viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is a virusborne inflammation of the meninges, which are the. Jun 14, 2016 in most cases, no treatment is necessary for viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Early treatment can help prevent serious problems, including death. Practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioners and patients in making decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. Viral meningitis in children what you need to know. Fortunately, viral meningitis is rarely life threatening and no specific treatment is needed. Nov 01, 2004 the objective of these practice guidelines is to provide clinicians with recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis. It can be treated with appropriate antibiotics that also prevents spread.
It is essential for clinicians to recognize the clinical signs and symptoms of meningitis and understand its management and prevention. Treatment for viral meningitis is generally supportive. Viral meningitis symptoms and treatment health hearty. However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because some types of meningitis can be.
Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis aafp. It is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and most people get better on their own without treatment. Viral meningitis norway pdf ppt case reports symptoms. Viral meningitis is an infection of the meninges a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord by any one of a number of different viruses. Pam is difficult to diagnose because of the rarity of the infection and the nonspecific early symptoms. Viral meningitis oxford academic oxford university press. This article highlights the viral meningitis symptoms and treatment.
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