Treatment of meningitis depends on its type or cause. For example, viral meningitis may sometimes resolve on its own within several days, but viral meningitis caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) may require antiviral medication. Over-the-counter medication (e.g., analgesics) is also often used to alleviate symptoms of viral meningitis. Other common treatments include rest and drinking fluids.

Although bacterial meningitis is less common than viral meningitis, it is potentially much more dangerous. It requires prompt treatment under a physician’s supervision. Antibiotics will be prescribed to treat bacterial meningitis, and the child will no longer be contagious about 24 hours after beginning antibiotic therapy.

The combination of medications prescribed to treat meningitis depends on a number of factors, including:

• Source of infection (e.g., type of bacteria)
• Age of the patient
• Severity of infection
• Presence of other medical conditions or complications

A physician will often begin administering intravenous antibiotics before the cause has been determined because of the possibility of severe complications from the disease. Treatment may be altered or stopped later if testing indicates a viral infection as the source of meningitis.

A physician may also prescribe treatments to deal with symptoms of the disease (e.g., brain swelling, convulsions and dehydration). Fluid that has accumulated in and around the brain may be drained or otherwise removed. Analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be administered to reduce pain and/or inflammation. Steroids are also used in certain cases of bacterial meningitis.

Following treatment, bacterial meningitis can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to fully resolve. Viral meningitis tends to resolve in less than two weeks.