Spinal Meningitis (Cont.)

Diagnosing Spinal Meningitis

Early diagnosis and treatment of spinal meningitis are vital.
 
Spinal meningitis is often diagnosed using laboratory tests of spinal fluid obtained with a spinal tap. A spinal tap is a test in which a needle is inserted into an area in the lower back where fluid in the spinal canal is readily accessible.
 
For the bacterial variety of spinal meningitis, identification of the bacteria responsible is important for selection of correct antibiotics. The specific cause of viral spinal meningitis can be determined by tests that identify the virus in specimens collected from the patient, but these tests are rarely done.
 

Treatment of Spinal Meningitis

The bacterial form of spinal meningitis has a high death rate if left untreated, so it requires immediate medical attention.
 
The bacterial variety of spinal meningitis can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics. It is important, however, that spinal meningitis treatment be started early in the course of the disease. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of most common bacterial types of spinal meningitis should reduce the risk of dying from the infection to below 15 percent, although the risk is higher among the elderly.
 
No specific treatment for the viral type of spinal meningitis exists at this time. Most patients completely recover on their own. Doctors often will recommend:
 
  • Bed rest
  • Plenty of fluids
  • Medicine to relieve fever and headache.
     

Transmission of Spinal Meningitis

Some bacterial forms of spinal meningitis are contagious and can be spread through contact with:
 
  • Saliva
  • Nasal discharge
  • Feces
  • Respiratory and throat secretions (often spread through kissing, coughing, or sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, or personal items such as toothbrushes or lipstick).
     
People sharing a classroom, day care center, or household with an infected person can become infected. College students (in particular, college freshmen) living in dormitories have a higher risk of contracting meningococcal meningitis than college students overall.
 
Children without access to childhood vaccines are at increased risk of developing certain bacterial types of spinal meningitis.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD