WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Bacterial (back-TEER-e-ul) meningitis (men-in-JIE-tis) is
an infection that causes swelling and irritation of the tissue
around the brain and spinal cord. Although it can be a very
serious disease, with treatment, it will probably clear up in 2
to 3 weeks.
Causes
The bacteria that cause this
disease spread to the brain from other parts of the body. The
most common causes are the
Neisserria meningitidis, pneumococcus, and
Haemophilus influenzae bacteria. These bacteria can pass
from one person to another.
Signs/Symptoms
Symptoms include fever, chills,
sweating, headache, stiff neck, vomiting, red or purple skin
rash, confusion, irritability, or tiredness. In addition, your
eyes may be bothered by light.
Care
Antibiotic medicine will be
prescribed to treat your infection. You may be put in the
hospital for tests and care. After 2 to 3 weeks, you may return
to normal activity.
Risks
Without treatment, this disease
can be fatal--and if you don't get treatment soon enough, you
may end up with brain damage (hearing loss, learning problems,
difficulty talking, seizures, or paralysis).
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Take antibiotics exactly as directed until they are
all gone. Finish the prescription even if you feel
well.
-
If any of your medicines make you drowsy, do not
drive.
-
Stay away from others until your doctor says you can
no longer spread your illness.
-
Although no special diet is needed, you should drink
about 6 to 8 glasses (soda-can sized) of water a day, even
if you don't feel like it. Do not drink
alcohol.
-
Eat healthy foods and get lots of
rest.
-
To ease headaches, rest in a dark, quiet
room.
-
Wash your hands each time you go to the bathroom and
before eating to keep from spreading
germs.
-
As soon as you feel better, you may resume your
normal activities.
-
Get shots to prevent the flu and
pneumonia.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have new symptoms (such as a rash, itching,
swelling, or trouble breathing) that started when you began
taking medicine. You may be allergic to the
medicine.
-
You have a high temperature while you are taking
medicine.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
Someone in your family develops a severe headache,
stiff neck, fever, and changes in vision. They may have
picked up the disease from you.
-
You or someone in your family becomes confused or
difficult to wake up, or has a high
temperature.
-
You or someone in your family has
seizures.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Activity: You will be required to stay in bed in a
darkened room. You may not be allowed to have certain
visitors if the doctors think they could catch your
infection.
-
Isolation: To keep from spreading the infection, you
will be kept away from others. Nurses and others around you
will wear face masks and gowns to keep from getting the
disease.
-
Neuro Signs: The doctor will check your eyes and
memory, and see how easily you awaken. These are important
signs that tell how well the brain is responding to the
infection.
-
Lumbar Puncture: Also called spinal tap. Fluid is
taken from your spine and sent for
tests.
-
Body Fluid Cultures: Blood, urine, throat, and nose
fluids may be tested. This will help the doctor decide
which antibiotic will be the best
treatment.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: While you are getting oxygen, you
may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-ih-ter). It is
placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a
machine that measures the oxygen in your
blood.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
Blood Gases: Blood is taken from an artery in your
wrist, elbow, or groin. It is tested to see how much oxygen
it contains.
-
Chest X-ray: This picture of your lungs and heart
shows how well they are handling the
illness.
-
CT Scan: Also called a ""CAT'' scan, this is an
x-ray using a computer. It will be used to take pictures of
your brain and check the progress of the
infection.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-LEK-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The
patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or
a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a
tracing of each heartbeat.
-
Medicines:
-
Antibiotics will be prescribed to fight the
infection. They may be given by IV, in a shot, or by
mouth.
-
Pain medicine may be given in your IV, as a shot,
or by mouth. If the pain does not go away or comes back,
tell a doctor right away.
-
Fever medicine , usually acetaminophen, will be
given to bring down your fever. It may be given by mouth
or in your rectum.
-
Anti-nausea medicine may be given to get rid of
your nausea and control your vomiting so you don't lose
too much body fluid (become
dehydrated).
After You Leave
Follow the guidelines listed
under ""What You Should Do.''
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