Can meningitis be cured?

Meningitis is the swelling of the fluid and membranes around your brain and spinal cord due to an infection. These infections are most commonly bacterial or viral, which are contagious.

The type of meningitis a person has dictates how easily a doctor can cure it. For example, bacterial meningitis is a potentially life threatening condition that requires urgent medical treatment to prevent complications.

But all types of meningitis are curable with the proper treatment.

Most people typically recover from viral meningitis in 7–10 days without medical treatment. But babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems will need antiviral medications.

Types of meningitis

Different germs that enter the body, such as bacteria and viruses, can cause meningitis. The specific cause of meningitis dictates how serious your condition is.

• Bacterial meningitis: This type can be fatal without medical treatment, but fast-acting treatment can help prevent complications and save lives.
• Viral meningitis: This is the most common type of meningitis, and you’re likely to get better by yourself without treatment.

Other less common types of meningitis include:

• parasitic meningitis
• fungal meningitis
• noninfectious meningitis
• chronic meningitis

Initial meningitis symptoms are the same regardless of their cause. But symptoms of bacterial meningitis will often be more severe and lead to serious complications if you do not seek treatment.

Symptoms to look out for include:

• fever
• headaches
• neck stiffness and aching
• discomfort when looking into the light, or photophobia
• nausea
• irritability
• vomiting
• decrease in appetite
• feeling exhausted
• sleeping very deeply

In children, you may notice:

• high pitched crying
• inconsolable behavior
• sleepiness
• difficulty walking
• a grumpy demeanor
• a weak suck during nursing

Most people who catch mild viral meningitis get better by themselves without medication. But always seek medical advice if you experience symptoms of meningitis.

Your doctor will perform tests to see what is causing your symptoms. If your doctor diagnoses bacterial meningitis, you will require urgent care.

Bacterial meningitis is curable, but it requires intense medical treatment. You may start feeling better 48–72 hours after receiving treatment.

Most people can recover fully from an infection, but some may experience long-term complications, such as hearing loss or inflammation of the brain.  

Treatments

Treatment for meningitis depends on the cause. What helps cure one type may not work for another, so it is important to receive an accurate diagnosis so your doctor can treat your symptoms properly.

Bacterial meningitis

If you have bacterial meningitis, go to the hospital straight away. Doctors need to confirm the diagnosis and administer antibiotics as soon as possible to prevent any damage to the brain and fatality.

Common antibiotics for meningitis include cefepime (Maxipime) and ceftriaxone (Rocephin).

Intravenous (IV) antibiotics are the fastest way to treat an infection, as they go straight into your bloodstream. Your doctor may administer steroids before the antibiotics, such as dexamethasone (Maxidex)

Many different vaccinations are available to help prevent bacterial meningitis. Each vaccination helps protects against a certain strain of bacteria. Vaccines for bacterial meningitis include the brands Menactra, Pedvax Hib, and Prevnar 13.

You might consider getting one of these vaccinations if you have a weakened immune system or are likely to come into contact with the bacteria.

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Viral meningitis

Typically, you will not need treatment for viral meningitis. But if your symptoms are severe or due to an infection by herpesvirus, you may need antiviral medications such as acyclovir.

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, so cannot cure viral meningitis. No vaccinations are available for viral meningitis, but vaccinations for influenza, chickenpox, and mumps can help prevent viral meningitis.

Keeping you and your child vaccinated on schedule is important for the effectiveness of the vaccines.

Complications

Meningitis can lead to complications, particularly if you do not show symptoms until the infection is advanced.

Some of these include:

• seizures
• hearing loss
• brain damage
• problems with memory
• vision loss
• buildup of fluid in the skull, or hydrocephalus
• limb weakness
• speech difficulties
• difficulty balancing

Bacterial meningitis can develop in your blood and damage your blood vessels. This can lead to bacteremia, a blood infection. It’s also related to a condition called sepsis, which is the body’s response to infection. Symptoms of sepsis include fever, a high heart rate, and high white blood cell counts.

Summary

The most common type of meningitis is viral meningitis. This is usually curable, and most people get better without medication. Some people may need antiviral medications, particularly babies and people with weakened immune systems.

Bacterial meningitis is more serious. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking help from a medical professional as quickly as possible will improve your chances of a full recovery. While this is not always possible, it is likely that you will recover, but you may experience long-term complications.

It is essential to seek help quickly if you suspect you or anyone else has meningitis. Many different vaccinations are available to help prevent an infection that causes bacterial meningitis.

Vaccinations are available to young adults and people at risk of developing an infection.

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