Meningitis in Children Treatment

Self-Care at Home

Meningitis can be a rapidly progressing, life-threatening disease, so immediate medical care is important if meningitis is suspected in a child.

• While transporting a child to a hospital's emergency department, supportive care may include the following:
  
  
  • Give the correct amount of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever.
    
    
  • Attempt to keep the child comfortable and prevent the child from choking or inhaling any material vomited.
    
    
  • Directly observe the child to notice any deterioration in condition.
  
  
• Sometimes, children are sent home from the emergency room if the doctor is confident that the child has viral meningitis. Frequently, a child with viral meningitis can be treated successfully at home by taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or other pain medications and by drinking plenty of fluids. If a child has viral meningitis, follow-up care is still important.
  
  
  • Have the child reevaluated within 1-2 days to be sure that he or she is improving.
    
    
  • Watch for any worsening signs or symptoms and if necessary, return immediately to a medical facility.