Meningitis is the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes, and is typically caused by an infection. It can usually be diagnosed by your family doctor or pediatrician. Various medical exams are used to diagnose the varying strains. These can include analyzing medical history, a physical exam, and diagnostic tests. The physical exam will include the doctor checking for traces of any infection in the head, throat, ears, and the skin along the spine.
1. Diagnostic tests
The diagnoses in adults as well as in children may consist of the following diagnostic tests:
Blood samples collected from the patient are examined on a special dish to check for any growth of microorganisms, especially bacteria. The blood sample may also be examined under a slide by staining and then checked under a microscope for the presence of any bacteria.
These imaging techniques can be done to check any inflammation or swelling in the head. Scans and X-rays of the chest and sinuses may be done to check for any signs of infection which can be linked to meningitis.
Spinal tap or lumbar puncture is a more definite way of diagnosing meningitis. To conduct this test, the cerebrospinal fluid of the patient is collected. People who have meningitis will have a low sugar level in their cerebrospinal fluid and an increased white blood cell count and protein levels. The lumbar puncture test can also help the doctor to determine the type of bacterium that has caused meningitis.
2. Treatments
Based on the results of these diagnostic tests, there are different types of meningitis treatments that can be recommended. Read on to know more about these treatments.
For bacterial meningitis, intravenous antibiotics and corticosteroids can be prescribed. This treatment speeds up the recovery process and prevents any type of complications such as swelling in the brain and seizures. The type of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor will mainly depend on the type of bacteria that has caused meningitis. Therefore, until the cause of meningitis is not found, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed by the doctor.
Infected sinuses or the bones present behind the outer ear connecting to the middle ear known as mastoids may be drained by the doctor to get rid of any infections.
Unlike bacterial meningitis, antibiotics cannot treat this type of meningitis. In most cases, the condition of the patient improves on its own. In mild cases of viral meningitis, the treatment can include:
In case of swelling in the brain and seizures, the doctor may also prescribe corticosteroids. These medications can reduce swelling and control seizures. If the condition is caused by the herpes virus, antiviral medication is prescribed to the patient.
When the cause of the condition is not diagnosed, an antiviral and antibiotic treatment can be prescribed until the time the cause is determined.
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