Q - Which antibiotics treat meningitis effectively?

A - To know which antibiotics treat meningitis effectively, we need to know the particular micro-organism that's causing the episode meningitis infection. Treatment of meningitis varies by the specific cause implicated.

Antibiotics are only effective in meningitis caused by bacteria. They could also be used in meningitis caused by Spirochetes, and Rickettsia.

Meningitis caused by fungi, viruses and chemical compounds are not routinely treated with antibiotics.

For bacterial meningitis, the antibiotic used in any particular instance depends on the particular bacteria. The doctor usually performs a lumbar puncture and analyzes the CerebroSpinal-Fluid obtained. The results of the tests will guide in the selection of which antibiotics to use in that particular instance.

In special cases where a lumbar puncture cannot be done, the doctor may start a patient on broad spectrum antibiotics. These are antibiotics that are effective against a wide range of bacteria. If a lumbar puncture is done afterwards, then the decision whether to continue with those antibiotics or to change to some more effective ones will depend on the analyses of the CSF.

Answered - March, 2007