If you suspect that you may have Meningitis, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible because of the signs and symptoms.Meningitis is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition, and seeing a doctor sooner rather than later can make a big difference in your outcome.A doctor can diagnose meningitis with a combination of blood tests, head scans, and a sample taken from your spine.You will need to get treatment if your tests come back positive.
Step 1: There are a number of signs and symptoms of Meningitis.
Meningitis can begin with flu-like symptoms and evolve into a more serious disease.There are a number of signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for.
Step 2: Know the symptoms of the disease in newborns.
Meningitis presents differently in children under the age of two than it does in older children and adults.There are a number of signs and symptoms to be aware of in a baby.
Step 3: If you need immediate medical help, seek it.
If you diagnose it quickly, you can treat it successfully.The faster medical treatment can be received, the better, both in terms of preventing spread and reducing your risk of dying from it.If you or someone else exhibits any of the following, it is important to seek immediate medical care.It is important to see a doctor immediately if you or someone you know presents with neck stiffness, it is often a symptom of Meningitis and differentiates it from a general flu-like illness.Flu-like symptoms seem to be more severe than normal.It's important to know that if you don't treat the disease immediately, it can be very serious and even fatal.Seek a professional medical opinion if you are in doubt.
Step 4: If you've been around someone with the disease, you should seek a medical evaluation.
If you have been in the vicinity of someone who has been diagnosed with Meningitis, it is important for you to seek a medical evaluation to make sure you don't have it.This is important if the person was diagnosed with a disease.
Step 5: You should get a blood test.
A blood test is one of the first things your doctor will do if he suspects you have a disease.Your blood will be examined for an elevated white blood cell count, which is a common sign of an infection, and you will also be cultured in a specialized dish to see what organisms grow in it.The "blood culture" is a collection of organisms in your blood that can be used by your doctor to determine which bug is responsible for an illness.A bug that has grown in a dish can be tested by your doctor.This means that he can see which antibiotics are not effective at killing the specific microorganism that has invaded your body.
Step 6: You can get a CT Scan of your head.
If your doctor suspects that you have a disease, you will be sent for a head exam.To ensure that you get it quickly, you will most likely receive it through the Emergency Room.The purpose of the test is to see if there is any swelling in your head area, and to make sure that it is safe for your doctors to proceed with a test called a "lumbar puncture" that can confirm whether or not you have Meningitis.If there is excessive swelling or inflammation, it may be too dangerous to perform a spine tap due to the risk of brain herniation.This can lead to death if brain tissue gets compressed.
Step 7: There is a puncture to the back.
You can determine whether or not you have Meningitis by having a lumbar puncture.Your doctor will insert a needle into your spine to get a sample of Cerebrospinal fluid after a CT Scan to make sure it is safe.You will be tested for the presence ofbacteria and other organisms.If you have a lumbar puncture, you will most likely see the results of low sugar, elevated white blood cells, and increased protein.Your doctor can culture your cerebrospinal fluid to see if there are any diseases.It is possible for your doctor to perform susceptibility testing on the bugs that are present to determine which antibiotics are the most effective for you.The needle that is inserted into the back of the neck can be very painful.
Step 8: Ask your doctor if you need antibiotics.
If you have a suspicion that you may have the disease, your doctor will start treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics even if the test results are not conclusive.If you don't treat the disease promptly, it can be very dangerous and even fatal.Doctors are trained to give you antibiotics until further test results become available.Your doctor will likely choose a more specific antibiotic for you if there is a confirmed case of a disease.The choice of antibiotic will depend on the results of the "susceptibility testing", in other words, on which antibiotic was shown to have superior efficacy at treating the specific strain of Bacterial Meningitis that you have.
Step 9: Inquire about the drug.
Corticosteroids can be given in conjunction with antibiotics.The immune suppressing agents can reduce inflammation in the brain and meninges.Anti-convulsant medications may also be needed in more severe cases.Infections and inflammation surrounding the brain area can lead to seizures in more severe cases.
Step 10: Receive treatment.
In addition to the medications, supportive treatment is offered for all types of Meningitis.Stopping all daily activities such as work and other things, and resting in bed until you show enough positive signs of recovery are some elements of supportive care that will be offered and/or recommended by your physician.Keep your hydration levels in check by drinking lots of fluids.IV fluids can be given in a hospital setting if oral fluids are insufficient.Pain medications can be given to reduce your body ache.
Step 11: The treatment of viral meningitis is different.
It is important to note that antibiotics will not be effective in treating viral meningitis, although they may still be offered to prevent what is called "secondary bacterial infections", when a viral infection turns into a more serious bacterial one.If it is determined that you have viral meningitis, the mainstays of treatment are supportive care, as well as plenty of rest and ongoing medical supervision and check-ups until you recover.If you have viral meningitis caused by the herpes simplex virus, you may be able to receive treatment.Treatments for all other causes of viral meningitis are not currently available.