Do you restrict fluid intake with meningitis?

Do you restrict fluid intake with meningitis?

Some researchers have concluded that fluid restriction will avoid exacerbating cerebral oedema and may improve neurological outcome (Brown 1994). However, clinical dehydration has also been found in children with acute bacterial meningitis without any accompanying significant risk of mortality (Duke 1998).

What is the treatment for meningitis in babies?

Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics that are typically given intravenously in the hospital through an IV. According to the AAP, most babies who receive prompt antibiotic treatment will recover completely.

What is the protocol for meningitis?

Acute bacterial meningitis must be treated immediately with intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids. This helps to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications, such as brain swelling and seizures. The antibiotic or combination of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection.

Why is fluid and electrolyte replacement necessary in meningitis?

Careful management of fluid and electrolyte balance is important in the treatment of meningitis. Over or under hydration are associated with adverse outcomes. Many children have increased antidiuretic hormone secretion, and some will have dehydration due to vomiting, poor fluid intake or septic shock.

Can dehydration cause meningitis?

People with severe viral meningitis can suffer from dehydration. “They often come into the hospital a little on the dry side because they’ve been sick for a day or two with fever, which increases fluid requirements,” says Dr. Litman.

How do you replace fluid loss?

Fluids can be replaced with oral rehydration therapy (drinking), intravenous therapy, rectally such as with a Murphy drip, or by hypodermoclysis, the direct injection of fluid into the subcutaneous tissue. Fluids administered by the oral and hypodermic routes are absorbed more slowly than those given intravenously.

What happens if a baby gets meningitis?

Meningitis is an uncommon but serious, life-threatening infection. However, a baby will almost always fully recover when it’s diagnosed and treated early. If treatment is delayed, a baby can still recover, but they may be left with one or more long-term effects, including: blindness.

What is the most common cause of meningitis in infants?

Several strains of bacteria can cause acute bacterial meningitis, most commonly: Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). This bacterium is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in infants, young children and adults in the United States. It more commonly causes pneumonia or ear or sinus infections.

How do babies get meningitis?

Your baby can get meningitis when bacteria, viruses, or a fungus infecting another part of their body travels in the bloodstream to their brain and spinal cord. Out of 1,000 live births, about 0.1 to 0.4 neonates (a baby less than 28 days old) get meningitis, estimates a 2017 review.

What causes baby meningitis?

Many different types of bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis. In newborns, the most common causes are group B strep, E. coli, and less commonly, Listeria monocytogenes. In older kids, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) are often the causes.

What antibiotic treats meningitis?

Commonly used meningitis treatments include a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins, especially Claforan (cefotaxime) and Rocephin (ceftriaxone). Various penicillin-type antibiotics, aminoglycoside drugs such as gentamicin, and others, are also used.

Why are dehydrated patients given a saline intravenously instead of water?

A small amount of water injected directly into the blood would not cause lasting harm. Saline solution is specially formulated to match the electrolytes present in blood plasma, therefore, causing less of an osmotic effect compared to other intravenous fluids. It contains sodium and chloride ions as electrolytes.