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Meningitis - Medications
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
Medicines for meningitis are used to treat:
- Bacterial infection.
- Seizures.
- Pressure on the brain.
- Fever.
- Muscle aches.
The decision about what medicine to use depends on the organism causing the infection, the extent of the infection, and the person's age and general health.
Medication Choices
- Antibiotics to treat bacterial infection
- Medicines to treat seizures
- Medicines to treat pressure on the brain
- Medicines to treat fever and muscle aches. The most commonly used medicines are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Common side effects include nausea or upset stomach. Also, NSAIDs may cause ringing in the ears and blurred vision.
What To Think About
Your doctor will want to know which bacterium is causing your infection before prescribing antibiotics. A sample of spinal fluid or blood is tested to find out about the organism.
The type of antibiotic used and the length of treatment depend on the bacteria, the extent of the infection, your age, and how likely you are to develop severe meningitis or complications during illness. Often two antibiotics are given together.
Antibiotics are not given for viral meningitis.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: December 8, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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