Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the tissue that surrounds the brain. Symptoms of meningitis in children include headache, fever, vomiting, photophobia (fear of bright lights) and neck stiffness. Several antibiotics can treat bacterial meningitis, depending on the causative microorganism. Most of these antibiotics work by interfering with the bacterial cell wall production process. Viral meningitis is treated with supportive care (pain control, intravenous fluids), except when caused by the herpes virus, which can be treated with antiviral medications.
Vancomycin
When a child is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, it is unclear which bacteria is causing it because cultures take between 24 and 48 hours to identify the organism. Therefore, physicians usually start treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic, an antibiotic that can kill as many possible causes of meningitis as possible. Vancomycin is a broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic that is used in the initial treatment of bacterial meningitis. Vancomycin inhibits the bacterial cell wall production and also increases the permeability of the cell membrane, making it easy for the body's defenses to kill the bacteria. A common side effect is "red man syndrome," in which the child develops a red rash all over his body soon after receiving the antibiotic. This is a side effect, not an allergic reaction, and can be easily treated with antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
Ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone is another broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic that physicians use to treat meningitis in children. It helps against meningitis caused by H. flu, a bacterium that causes less infection than it used to, thanks to widespread vaccination against it. Ceftriaxone also helps kill pneumococcus, the most common bacteria associated with meningitis in children.
Ampicillin
Ampicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic useful in meningitis affecting newborn babies. Neonates can have meningitis caused by Group B streptococcus, a bacterium they acquire during the birthing process. This bacterium is highly sensitive to penicillin antibiotics, such as ampicillin. Unfortunately, other bacteria have become resistant to ampicillin's effects. As a result, its use in patients with meningitis caused by other bacteria is problematic, unless tests confirm that the bacterium is sensitive to this antibiotic.
