Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening type of meningitis. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that surround and protect your brain and spinal cord. An infection of the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord usually causes this inflammation. Anyone experiencing symptoms of meningitis should seek medical care immediately. Bacterial meningitis can cause death within hours.
Bacterial meningitis symptoms typically come on suddenly, often within 24 hours of exposure. Symptoms may include:
In older children and adults, symptoms may also include irritability and increasing drowsiness. Seizures and stroke may occur.
In babies and young children, fever may cause vomiting and they may refuse to eat. Other symptoms may include:
Sleepiness or trouble waking up.
Low energy or slower responses (lethargy).
Irritability.
Bulging fontanelle (“soft spot” on your baby’s head).
Seizures.
If you or your child has any of these symptoms, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911 right away. Bacterial meningitis can worsen quickly, leading to coma and even death within hours.
Healthcare providers treat bacterial meningitis with antibiotics. They’ll give you an IV (intravenous) antibiotic with a corticosteroid to bring down the inflammation even before all the test results are in. When the lab identifies the specific bacterium causing your condition, your provider may change to a different antibiotic.
f you suspect you have meningitis, it’s important that you seek immediate medical assistance. A healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical exam.
The provider may collect samples of your blood, urine or mucus. They’ll also perform a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to collect a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This is the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord. A laboratory will test the samples to determine what’s causing your infection.
If your provider suspects meningitis, they’ll begin treatment right away, before the test results come back.
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