Question 1

how long does it take to cure bacterial meningitis once antibiotics start?

Accepted Answer

Ten days: Assuming you caught it early and are on the correct antibiotic then the patient is cured after 10 to 14 days. If it is a particularly bad bacteria or if antibiotics started too late then healing may take months. Permanent hearing loss or other brain injury can occur.

Question 2

does viral meningitis take longer to progress than bacterial meningitis? what's the treatment for viral?

Accepted Answer

Watch the patient: No definitive treatment for viral meningitis, "whatever it takes"  which means may need hospitalization, IV fluids, (Acyclovir if HSV is the organism), intubation of pt not breathing on his/her own

Question 3

can you be a silent carrrier of bacterial meningitis longer than one year?

Accepted Answer

Doubt it: Think of your "carrier centers"-the nasal passages &amp; upper airway/throat as a hotel. Germs check in, stay for a while &amp; leave. Some, including those causing meningitis can cause infection or just pass along in your saliva and end up on a doorknob or banister. Many will come back.The only germ we know to persist in prolonged carriage is group A strep, which often doesn't affect carriers.

Question 4

how long could it take to die from bacterial meningitis?

Accepted Answer

Not long, just hours: Left untreated, bacterial meningitis is deadly, leading to death in hours to days. Even when treated appropriately, the risk of death still remains very high at 10%. Neurologic complications can occur despite the best of intentions.Check out http://www.Mayoclinic.Com/health/meningitis/ds00118 & http://my.Clevelandclinic.Org/disorders/meningitis/hic_bacterial_meningitis.Aspx for more information.

Question 5

bacterial meningitis 2 years ago. am i at higher risk for general infections? i need a tooth pulled and unsure if i should take antibiotics for that

Accepted Answer

Not really: Stuff happens. Unless you are immune deficient, which is something they would have detected during your treatment, you return to baseline. Discuss any concerns with your regular doc &amp; s/he can work out any extra precautions with your dentist.

Question 6

my niece often goes to college parties and drinks from anyone and everyones cup. how likely is it that she can get bacterial meningitis?

Accepted Answer

: Meningitis is not likely in that scenario, but not impossible. Since college students are going to be college students, all you can do is advise against it. However, the Meningitis vaccine is advised for college age students and she should have that, for sure. Good luck.

Question 7

my 2 yr old drank of another childs sippy cup right after the child drank from it. what are the chances of her catching bacterial meningitis? does it live long once outside the body? its rare,1 and 10 carriers, what if this kid is a carrier? worry?

Accepted Answer

: A  toddler touches objects/the floor/bugs/debris and puts their fingers in their mouth routinely. They have an estimated 100+ exposures/day to a variety of germs. In spite of this normal behavior it is rare for any of them to get meningitis. If you had him vaccinated properly the big risk germ is no longer an issue. Worry if you want. I consider it not than worth the effort.

Question 8

how long does bacterial meningitis bacteria stay on an object?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Different bacteria produce bacterial meningitis, so there is not a universal answer to this question. Nevertheless, usually close contact with human secretions is necessary to produce meningitis. The bacteria that commonly cause bacterial meningitis due not typically survive for a long period of time outside the human body.

Question 9

why i s there "acute" bacterial meningitis? is there such a thing as mild bacterial meningitis?

Accepted Answer

No: Just like there is not a mild form of  the black plague. A little poison is still poison.

Question 10

if someone has bacterial meningitis they'll be really sick right? like, there's no way they'll not know they have an illness?

Accepted Answer

Correct: People with bacterial meningitis are very sick. Severe headache, fever, neck stiffness and severe sensitivity to normal levels of light are common findings.

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Doctor answers about:

How long does it take to cure bacterial meningitis once antibiotics start

A member asked:

How long does it take to cure bacterial meningitis once antibiotics start?

A member asked:

Does viral meningitis take longer to progress than bacterial meningitis? what's the treatment for viral?

A member asked:

Can you be a silent carrrier of bacterial meningitis longer than one year?

A member asked:

How long could it take to die from bacterial meningitis?

A member asked:

Bacterial meningitis 2 years ago. am i at higher risk for general infections? i need a tooth pulled and unsure if i should take antibiotics for that

A member asked:

My niece often goes to college parties and drinks from anyone and everyones cup. how likely is it that she can get bacterial meningitis?

A member asked:

My 2 yr old drank of another childs sippy cup right after the child drank from it. what are the chances of her catching bacterial meningitis? does it live long once outside the body? its rare,1 and 10 carriers, what if this kid is a carrier? worry?

A member asked:

How long does bacterial meningitis bacteria stay on an object?

A member asked:

Why i s there "acute" bacterial meningitis? is there such a thing as mild bacterial meningitis?

A member asked:

If someone has bacterial meningitis they'll be really sick right? like, there's no way they'll not know they have an illness?

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