What if meningitis goes untreated

Accessed Sept. Bacterial meningitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bartt R. Acute bacterial and viral meningitis. Continuum Lifelong Learning in Neurology. Viral meningitis. Fungal meningitis.

Derber CJ, et al. Head and neck emergencies: Bacterial meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, upper airway obstruction, and jugular septic thrombophlebitis. Medical Clinics of North America. Longo DL, et al. Acute meningitis. In: Harrison's Principals of Internal Medicine. McGraw Hill; Acute bacterial meningitis. Merck Manual Professional Version. Prevention — Listeriosis. Subacute and chronic meningitis. Van de Beek D, et al.

Advances in treatment of bacterial meningitis. The Lancet. Recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents aged 18 years or younger, United States, Recommended adult immunization schedule for adults aged 19 or older, United States, Meningococcal vaccination: What everyone should know. Also, the type of white cells that are most common is usually different. Some infectious organisms that cause chronic meningitis, such as the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans , are visible under a microscope, but many, such as the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, are difficult to detect.

The cerebrospinal fluid is also cultured. Organisms, if present, are grown so that they can be identified. However, culturing may take weeks. Special techniques, which may provide results more quickly, may be used to identify fungi and the bacteria that cause tuberculosis and syphilis.

For example, tests may be done to detect proteins released by Cryptococcus neoformans called antigen testing. The polymerase chain reaction PCR technique, which produces many copies of a gene, may identify the unique DNA sequence of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

Other tests may be done on samples of cerebrospinal fluid to document prior exposure to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. Chest x-rays or computed tomography CT of the chest may detect evidence of prior or current tuberculosis. Other tests on cerebrospinal fluid are done, depending on which disorders are suspected. For example, the fluid may be analyzed for cancer cells if cancer is suspected. The cause of chronic meningitis may be difficult to determine, partly because detecting microorganisms in cerebrospinal fluid can be difficult.

Thus, spinal taps may be repeated to obtain more cerebrospinal fluid for culture. If available, tests that can rapidly analyze large stretches of genetic material can be used to identify otherwise undetectable microorganisms in cerebrospinal fluid. To identify the cause, doctors may also need to culture samples of blood and urine or to biopsy infected meninges or other tissues, which are identified using magnetic resonance imaging MRI or CT.

For tuberculosis, syphilis, Lyme disease, or another bacterial infection: Antibiotics effective for the particular bacteria. For fungal infections: Usually antifungal drugs, such as amphotericin B, flucytosine , fluconazole , or voriconazole , given intravenously or by mouth. Chronic meningitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans is commonly treated with amphotericin B plus flucytosine or fluconazole.

When a fungal infection is particularly difficult to cure, amphotericin B is sometimes injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid through an Ommaya reservoir. The Ommaya reservoir is a device that is placed under the scalp. The reservoir contains a large supply of drug, which it delivers slowly, over days or weeks, through a small tube running from the reservoir to the spaces within the brain. Syphilis and Lyme disease usually resolve after treatment.

Meningitis due to fungal or parasitic infections is harder to treat and more likely to recur, especially in people with HIV infection. If meningitis is due to leukemia, lymphoma, or cancer, the prognosis is often poor. In such cases, meningitis can be fatal. Merck and Co. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Manual was first published in as a service to the community.

Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Common Health Topics. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid Other tests. Test your knowledge. Bell palsy is sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face due to malfunction of the seventh cranial nerve.

It can lead to brain damage, paralysis, or stroke. In some cases, it can be fatal. Many different types of bacteria can cause meningitis. Vaccines are available that target many of these bacteria. For this reason, it's important to know what's causing meningitis. Even though all types affect the same area of the body, they can have different outcomes and need different treatments. Experts don't always know why meningitis happens. Some people get it when their immune system is weak or they've recently been sick.

A head injury may also increase risk. Bacterial meningitis is more common in infants under 1 year of age and people ages 16 to College students living in dorms or other close quarters are at increased risk.

Also at risk are adults with certain medical problems, including those without a spleen. Symptoms typically come on quickly, in as little as a couple of hours or up to a day or two. If you think you or your child may have meningitis, go to an emergency room right away. To diagnose this condition, a healthcare provider will do a spinal tap also called a lumbar puncture to take a sample of fluid from around the spinal cord. Complications are much rarer after viral meningitis.

Main complications Some of the most common complications associated with meningitis are: hearing loss , which may be partial or total — people who have had meningitis will usually have a hearing test after a few weeks to check for any problems recurrent seizures epilepsy problems with memory and concentration co-ordination, movement and balance problems learning difficulties and behavioural problems vision loss , which may be partial or total loss of limbs — amputation is sometimes necessary to stop the infection spreading through the body and remove damaged tissue bone and joint problems, such as arthritis kidney problems Overall, it's estimated up to 1 in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal.

Treatment and support Additional treatment and long-term support may be required if you or your child experience complications of meningitis.