28/04/2026
Meningitis 3
What are the treatment options?
People with suspected meningitis will usually have tests in hospital to confirm the diagnosis and check whether the condition is viral or bacterial. Bacterial meningitis usually needs to be treated in hospital for at least a week.
Treatments include:
• Antibiotics given directly into a vein
• Fluids given directly into a vein
• Oxygen through a face mask.
Viral meningitis tends to get better on its own within 7-10 days and can often be treated at home. A number of meningitis vaccinations provide protection against many of the infections that can cause meningitis:
• MenB vaccine offers protection against meningococcal group B bacteria, which are a common cause of meningitis in young children. In the UK, a vaccine is recommended for babies at 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at 1 year.
• 6-in-1 vaccine (also known as DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B vaccine) Offers protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and haemophilus influenza type B. It is given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 18 months old.
• Pneumococcal Vaccine which is offered at 16 weeks and a booster given at 1 year. A single dose is offered to adults aged 65 or over.
• MMRV vaccine which offers protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox. It is usually given to children when they are 12 months and 18 months old.
• Men ACWY vaccine which offers protection against 4 types of bacterial meningitis that can cause meningitis. The vaccine is offered to teenagers aged 14 and people up to the age of 25 who have never had a vaccine containing Men C.
