Since then, penicillin has remained the drug of choice for the treatment of meningococcal meningitis. However, current IDSA guidelines list
ceftriaxone or cefotaxime
as the drugs of choice. The image below shows indications of increased intracranial pressure, an early complication of bacterial meningitis.
What antibiotics are used to treat meningococcal meningitis?
Penicillin
is the drug of choice for the treatment of meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. Chemoprophylactic antimicrobials most commonly used to eradicate meningococci include rifampin, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), ceftriaxone.
Does vancomycin treat meningitis?
Treatment of meningitis with vancomycin has been
effective in clinical situations
that precluded the use of the commonly administered agents, i.e., in infections due to resistant strains or to unusual organisms, in patients allergic to penicillin, and in patients for whom therapy with a first-choice antibiotic has …
What is the first line treatment for meningitis?
Acute bacterial meningitis must be treated immediately with
intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids
. This helps to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications, such as brain swelling and seizures. The antibiotic or combination of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
Which is the first line antibiotic for meningococcal meningitis?
Treatment following diagnosis
Currently,
a third-generation cephalosporin (ceftriaxone or cefotaxime)
is the drug of choice for the treatment of meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. Penicillin G, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolone, and aztreonam are alternatives therapies (IDSA guidelines).
While there are similarities between the two – such as common initial symptoms and the population demographics most at risk of infection –
bacterial meningitis is often more severe
, and can be life-threatening if not treated. In contrast, patients with viral meningitis often recover on their own within 7 to 10 days.
How long can you have meningitis without knowing?
The first symptoms of viral meningitis typically appear
between 3 to 7 days
after being exposed to the infection. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis appear and progress quickly – bacterial meningitis is the most dangerous type of meningitis, and the infection progresses the fastest.
What's the difference between meningitis and meningococcal?
What is the difference between bacterial meningococcal disease and viral meningitis? Bacterial meningococcal disease, including meningococcal meningitis, usually has a more sudden onset and is
a more severe illness than viral meningitis
.
What are the hallmark signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis?
- Fever and chills.
- Fatigue (feeling tired)
- Vomiting.
- Cold hands and feet.
- Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest, or abdomen (belly)
- Rapid breathing.
- Diarrhea.
- In the later stages, a dark purple rash (see photos)
What does meningococcal meningitis do to the body?
Meningococcal bacteria can multiply freely in CSF, and there they release poisons,
causing inflammation and swelling in the meninges and the brain tissue
itself. This increases pressure on your brain, producing symptoms of meningitis such as headache, stiff neck and dislike of bright lights.
Why do we give vancomycin in meningitis?
Treatment of meningitis with vancomycin has been effective in clinical situations that
precluded the use
of the commonly administered agents, i.e., in infections due to resistant strains or to unusual organisms, in patients allergic to penicillin, and in patients for whom therapy with a first-choice antibiotic has …
What is the main cause of meningitis?
Viral infections
are the most common cause of meningitis, followed by bacterial infections and, rarely, fungal and parasitic infections.
Does meningitis go away by itself?
Viral meningitis will usually get better on its own
and rarely causes any long-term problems. Most people with bacterial meningitis who are treated quickly will also make a full recovery, although some are left with serious long-term problems.
What are the two types of meningitis?
- Viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. …
- Bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria. …
- Fungal meningitis. Fungal meningitis is a rare type of meningitis. …
- Parasitic meningitis. …
- Non-infectious meningitis.
Can amoxicillin treat meningitis?
Thus, intravenous amoxicillin sodium provided therapy for bacterial meningitis comparable to that of ampicillin in this limited case-control study. should be
equally as effective
as ampicillin in bacterial meningitis.
What is partially treated meningitis?
Partially treated meningitis
As the early symptoms and signs of bacterial meningitis are
non-specific
, up to 50% of cases may initially receive oral antibiotics. This partial treatment may delay the child's presentation to hospital and result in a diagnostic dilemma.
