Keep in mind that vaccines are among the most effective ways to prevent infectious meningitis. Meningococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) can prevent meningitis and have been shown to prevent meningitis-related deaths.
Prescriptions
Prescription medications for meningitis include antibiotic medications aimed at treating the infection if it is caused by bacteria, and sometimes anti-viral medication if a virus causes the infection.
Antibiotics
If your meningitis is caused by a bacteria that is identified, then you will need to take antibiotics, most often given intravenously (IV).
Often your healthcare provider can select the right antibiotics to treat you before the specific type of bacteria that is causing your meningitis is identified, based on your medical history, symptoms and recent exposures. Identification of the bacterial infection may take a few days, and, in the rare instances when the infection requires a different antibiotic, your healthcare provider may switch your therapy.
Antiviral
If you test positive for viral meningitis that can be treated with medication, your healthcare provider may prescribe an anti-viral medication for you. Most of the time, viral meningitis improves on its own without a specific treatment.
Steroids
IV (intravenous) or oral (by mouth) steroids can be used to reduce inflammation in selected cases of meningitis where the inflammation is felt to be concerning enough that it may cause harm.
Diuretics
Sometimes meningitis can cause fluid to build up in the brain. In these instances, your healthcare provider may prescribe a diuretic.
Over-the-Counter Medications
OTC treatments can be used to control the pain and discomfort of meningitis. They cannot help the inflammation or infection itself resolve, but the pain and aches can be bothersome, so you might want to alleviate these symptoms with mild medications.
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Similarly, if your child has meningitis, pain medications and anti-inflammatory treatments, at the doses recommended for children, can provide some relief as your child recovers.
NSAIDS
Several medications, including ibuprofen and naproxen, can help relieve pain. These medications also have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help with some of the neck pain. The anti-inflammatory effect, however, is not actually strong enough to treat the inflammation of meningitis itself.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Tylenol and higher dose Tylenol Extra Strength can provide relief for your neck and headaches to make you more comfortable for a few hours, especially if the pain is mild to moderate in severity.
NSAIDS
Several medications, including ibuprofen and naproxen, can help relieve pain. These medications also have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help with some of the neck pain. The anti-inflammatory effect, however, is not actually strong enough to treat the inflammation of meningitis itself.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Tylenol and higher dose Tylenol Extra Strength can provide relief for your neck and headaches to make you more comfortable for a few hours, especially if the pain is mild to moderate in severity.
Specialist-Driven Procedures
Procedures are not usually necessary for the treatment of meningitis unless there is excessive pressure on the brain due to swelling, inflammation, or blockage of the normal flow of fluid.
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt
If you have fluid pressure, which can cause damage to the brain, you may need to have that fluid physically removed. This requires an interventional procedure to access your cerebrospinal fluid.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Home remedies are focused on comfort and maintaining fluid hydration and nutrition as you recover. Most people recover from meningitis, but the illness itself can cause you to feel run down for days or even weeks.
Neck Support
If your neck pain can be relieved with pillows or soft neck support aids, you should absolutely use whatever provides you with relief and helps you maintain a comfortable position for your neck.
Ice Packs
Most people experience relief with ice packs or cold compresses placed on or near the head, neck, or shoulders. As with the neck support, you should use whatever makes you comfortable as you are recovering from meningitis.
Head Pads
You may experience some relief with heat, particularly if you have developed muscle spasms in your neck and shoulders as a result of the persistent head and neck pain.
Staying Hydrated
Often, people with meningitis feel exhausted and may have a decreased appetite. It is important to pay extra attention to drinking enough fluids to prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated. This cannot cure your meningitis, but it can help you recover faster once the inflammation or infection resolves.
Maintaining Adequate Nutrition
As with drinking, you may be too exhausted to eat, but try to eat during your recovery so that you can bounce back faster once the meningitis resolves.
Rest
Maintaining enough rest is vital to recovery from infection and inflammation. If you or your child has meningitis, getting enough rest while you recover can help your body heal.
Stress Management
Anxiety and stress may interfere with the optimal function of your immune system, prolonging your illness. Therefore, measures to decrease stress may be of benefit during the treatment of meningitis.
