Meningitis - tuberculous

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Central nervous system

Tubercular meningitis; TB meningitis

Treatment involves several antitubercular drugs at the same time, as it does for pulmonary tuberculosis. Treatment sometimes must begin if the diagnosis is only suspected, not proved, in order to save a person's life.

Treatment usually lasts for at least 12 months. Systemic steroids may also be used.

Tuberculous meningitis is life-threatening if untreated. Long-term follow-up is needed to detect repeated infections (recurrences).

• Brain damage
• Build-up of fluid between the skull and brain (subdural effusion)
• Hearing loss
• Hydrocephalus
• Seizures

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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 problems
• 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.

Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).