Bacterial Meningitis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Bacterial meningitis is an infection and inflammation (swelling) of the meninges caused by bacteria (germs). Meninges are linings around the brain and spinal cord. Normally, the meninges serve as a wall between the blood and the brain. The meninges prevent germs and other substances from entering the brain and spinal cord.
  
  
• With meningitis, bacteria enter and damage the meninges. The fluid in the brain gets infected which causes inflammation. Because of the inflammation, blood flow is decreased to the brain and there is increased pressure in your head. Signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis are fever, headache, stiff neck, and sleepiness. You may also have a rash, vision changes, nausea (upset stomach), or vomiting (throwing up). Bacterial meningitis can be diagnosed by lumbar puncture, blood tests, and a computerized tomography (CT) scan. Treatment includes antibiotic and anticonvulsant medicines. Bacterial meningitis may be prevented by getting a vaccination (shot).

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

For support and more information:

Accepting that you have bacterial meningitis may be hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, sad, or angry. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Contact the following for more information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  1600 Clifton Road
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/
  

• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
  NIAID Office of Communications & Government Relations
  6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
  Bethesda , MD 20892-6612
  Phone: 1- 301 - 496-5717
  Phone: 1- 866 - 284-4107
  Web Address: www3.niaid.nih.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your bacterial meningitis, medicine, or care.
  
  
• You think someone in your family may have bacterial meningitis.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a headache or stiff neck.
  
  
• You are confused or hard to wake up.
  
  
• You have a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• Your symptoms are getting worse or returning.

This is an emergency. Call 911 for an ambulance to get to the nearest hospital. Do not drive yourself.

Copyright © 2011. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Bacterial Meningitis (Discharge Care)