Meningitis - pneumococcal

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Pneumococci organism

Pneumococcal pneumonia

Meningitis - pneumococcal

Alternative Names:

Pneumococcal meningitis
Treatment:

Antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible. Ceftriaxone is one of the most commonly used antibiotics. If antibiotic resistance is suspected, vancomycin or rifampin are used. Sometimes systemic corticosteroids may be used, especially in children.

Expectations (prognosis):

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With early treatment, the outcome is better. However, 20% of people who contract this disease will die of it and 50% will have serious long-term complications.

Complications:

About half of all patients have long-term complications, such as the following:

Hydrocephalus
Subdural accumulation of fluid
Deafness
Paralysis of various muscles
Mental retardation

Calling your health care provider:

Call the local emergency number (such as 911) or go to the emergency room if a young child has persistent unexplained fever, irritability, feeding difficulties, or high-pitched cry and you suspect meningitis.

Call the local emergency number if you develop any of the serious symptoms listed above. Meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness.