How is pneumococcal meningitis treated?

People with pneumococcal meningitis will be admitted to the hospital for immediate intravenous antibiotic treatment. Typically, doctors use an antibiotic called ceftriaxone to treat pneumococcal meningitis. Other antibiotics used include: penicillin.

Is pneumococcal meningitis bacterial or viral?

Pneumococcal meningitis is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (also called pneumococcus, or S pneumoniae). This type of bacteria is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. It is the second most common cause of meningitis in children older than age 2.

Is pneumococcal meningitis Gram positive?

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci) are gram-positive, alpha-hemolytic, aerobic, encapsulated diplococci. In the US, pneumococcal infection is a major cause of otitis media, pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, and death. Diagnosis is by Gram stain and culture.

How is pneumococcal diagnosis?

Doctors can use a urine test to help make a diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia in adults. Doctors usually diagnose ear and sinus infections based on a history and physical exam findings that support pneumococcal infection. Doctors use a lumbar puncture to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid.

Can you recover from pneumococcal meningitis?

Approximately half of survivors are left with some type of after effect. These after effects may be mild or temporary and improve with time although around 22% of survivors end up with a moderate or severe disability[3]. Most serious problems can be identified whilst the patient is still in hospital.

What is the gold standard diagnosis of meningitis?

The gold standard for the diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis is the detection of viable bacteria from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by culture.

Can meningitis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Meningitis blood tests A procalcitonin blood test can also help your doctor tell if an infection is more likely caused by either bacteria or a virus. Blood tests may also be done at the same time as a spinal tap to compare the levels of cells, antibodies, and proteins and confirm the diagnosis.

What is a common diagnostic tool for pneumococcal pneumonia?

Chest X-ray (CXR) remains the reference standard for diagnosis of pneumonia syndrome, and should be used when available, especially for hospitalized patients. Blood culture is insensitive but can provide a specific aetiological diagnosis and should be used when available.

What are the signs of pneumococcal pneumonia?

Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, stiff neck, confusion, increased sensitivity to light, joint pain, chills, ear pain, sleeplessness, and irritability. In severe cases, pneumococcal disease can cause hearing loss, brain damage, and death.