Therapy

Give

• antibiotics ^a once meningitis is suspected ^d (e.g. ceftriaxone 2 to 4 g iv daily) ^b
  Consider giving
  • ampicillin 500 mg iv to elderly patients.
  • aciclovir 10 mg/kg iv over 1 hour every 8 hours if Herpes simplex encephalitis is a possibility.
• analgesia ^d
  

• central venous access ^d
• urinary catheter ^d
• transfer to an intensive care unit ^d

• children with proven Haemophilus influenzae b meningitis. ^a
• patients with tuberculous meningitis on TB chemotherapy ^a
  There is no clear benefit from steroids in adults for other types of bacterial meningitis ^d