Bacterial meningitis

[gorojoma]

I would like to know, PLease ,that if a person had BACTERIAL MENINGITIS, & he is cured , can in the future have it again? or he will be immune to it? Thank you very much

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to obtain a history from you and examine you, I can not comment on a formal diagnosis or treatment plan for your symptoms. However, I will try to provide you with some information regarding this matter.

Meningitis can recur. Was the prior meningitis confirmed to be bacterial? Was a lumbar puncture (aka spinal tap) performed? There is a condition called Mollaret’s meningitis which is a recurrent viral meningitis. If you are having symptoms of meningitis (stiff neck, headache, fever, etc), you should seek medical attention ASAP. You will need to have a lumbar puncture performed. If it is bacterial, antibiotics would be necessary.

Thank you for using the forum, I hope you find this information useful, good luck.

[gorojoma]

Thank you ,Dr christopher R Newey DO,for answering my question,It was my son who is 43years old,who had it last month.The doctor told me ,it was bacterial meningitis & yes they done ,lumbar puncture, He was 10 days in ITU, they did gave him antibiotics,I'm worried that he could catch it again,