Antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible. Ceftriaxone is one of the most commonly used antibiotics.

If the antibiotic is not working, and the health care provider suspects antibiotic resistance, vancomycin or rifampin are used. Sometimes systemic corticosteroids may be used, especially in children.

Early treatment improves the outcome. However, 20% of people who get this disease will die of it and 50% will have serious long-term complications.

About half of all patients have long-term complications, such as the following:

• Deafness
• Hydrocephalus
• Mental retardation
• Paralysis of muscles
• Build-up of fluid between the skull and brain (subdural accumulation of fluid)

Call the local emergency number (such as 911) or go to an emergency room if you suspect meningitis in a young child who has the following symptoms:

• Feeding difficulties
• High-pitched cry
• Irritability
• Persistent unexplained fever

Call the local emergency number if you develop any of the serious symptoms listed above. Meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness.