Bacterial meningitis is a serious condition that causes inflammation within the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can also result from a viral infection, but the effects are often much less serious than what occurs with bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency that calls for immediate attention. The timeliness of the medical attention received can make a big difference to a person’s recovery.
Expedient treatment is key to recovering after a bout of bacterial meningitis. The condition can be life-threatening, but the survival rate for people who receive treatment immediately ranges between 85% and 90%. Children and adults who experience symptoms like fever, lethargy, and vomiting and suspect exposure to bacteria known to cause meningitis should seek out emergency medical treatment.
Doctors administer antibiotic medications intravenously when treating meningitis. Generally, a person will require this treatment for one to two weeks, which entails a hospital stay. However, most people see an improvement in symptoms in a day or so.
Keep in mind that the recovery process will continue once you’re released from the hospital. In some instances, it can take months before full health is restored. Even after normal activities have resumed, people recovering from bacterial meningitis can still experience symptoms like headaches and insomnia.
It’s not always possible to avoid infections, but you can reduce you chance of acquiring bacterial meningitis with just a few simple steps:
Families should also establish these health habits in children to lower their risk of serious illness.