11/09/2026
Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection and inflammation of the meninges (the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), usually caused by bacteria.
Common causative bacteria
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Neisseria meningitidis
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Group B Streptococcus — especially in newborns
Escherichia coli — especially in neonates
Signs and symptoms
Adults/older children:
Sudden fever
Severe headache
Neck stiffness
Vomiting
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Confusion or altered consciousness
Seizures
Infants:
Fever or low temperature
Poor feeding
Irritability or lethargy
Vomiting
Seizures
Bulging fontanelle
High-pitched cry
Apnoea or breathing difficulties
Diagnosis
The key investigation is lumbar puncture (LP) with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, including:
Cell count
Protein
Glucose
Gram stain and culture
Other microbiological tests where available
Blood cultures are also important.
Treatment
Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. Treatment should begin promptly with IV antibiotics, selected according to age, local guidelines and suspected organism. Supportive management includes:
Oxygen if needed
IV fluids when indicated
Management of fever
Treatment of seizures
Monitoring airway, breathing and circulation
Management of raised intracranial pressure when present
Do not delay antibiotics unnecessarily while waiting for investigations if bacterial meningitis is strongly suspected.
If you are studying this for nursing, I can also give you the causes, pathophysiology, signs/symptoms, investigations, treatment, nursing management and complications in an exam-friendly format.
