The meninges are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. These membranes can become inflamed due to infection by bacteria or viruses, leading to a condition called meningitis. Bacterial infections of the meninges are usually more severe than viral infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bacterial spinal meningitis can cause damage to the brain, hearing loss and leaning disabilities.
Antibiotics
Treatment with antibiotics begins immediately upon suspicion of meningitis, in order to stave off potentially serious effects, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Meningitis can affect any age group, but young children are particularly at risk of serious complications. Even with treatment, mortality rates for newborns with meningitis are as high as 25 percent. In children who are very sick, high dosages of intravenous antibiotics are often administered even before a spinal tap is performed to confirm the diagnosis. The type antibiotics chosen in these initial stages of treatment are those known to address the bacteria most commonly known to cause meningitis. Once a spinal tap has identified the specific bacteria involved in a particular patient's illness, the antibiotic prescription is refined to include only those drugs that are known to be effective in treating that particular pathogen.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroid drugs are administered to meningitis patients either prior to or concurrent with antibiotics. These are given to counter negative results that may occur due to the antibiotics doing what antibiotics are supposed to do -- kill bacteria. When bacteria are destroyed, fragments of their cellular material can induce inflammation and swelling that can cause brain damage. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library notes that a 2 to 4 day course of treatment with corticosteroids can ease intracranial pressure by reducing inflammation in the brain.
Fluid Replenishment
Those with bacterial spinal meningitis commonly experience symptoms such as fever, sweating, vomiting and decreased appetite. All of these can combine to leave the patient dangerously dehydrated. The KidsHealth website notes that fluid replacement is often necessary to counteract the harmful effects of dehydration.
Follow Up Treatment
Complications from bacterial spinal meningitis often make it necessary to complete a follow up course of care to ensure maximal recovery. Treatments for visual or auditory impairment may be necessary in some cases. Some patients may experience seizures that require a course of anticonvulsant medication. Learning disabilities caused by severe cases of spinal bacterial meningitis may call for additional therapy as well, though the KidsHealth website assures that with timely diagnosis and treatment, most patients experience full recovery.
