Bacterial Meningitis: Treatment
Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment of bacterial meningitis. It is essential to use antibiotics which readily cross the blood brain barrier. The third generation cephalosporins are in wide use for the treatment of meningitis especially in adults.
Broad-spectrum agents are used initially, while specific drugs are commenced as soon as results of CSF analysis are available.
The use of corticosteroids in the management of bacterial meningitis is controversial. While some studies have documented its benefits, especially reduction in hearing impairment, others have not found it so useful. If dexamethazone is to be used, it needs to be started before, or along with the first dose of antibiotics to reduce the patient’s inflammatory response.
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