The doctor will start treatment immediately and continue unless the tests come back showing no sign of bacteria, which means the illness is assumed to be caused by a virus. In the case of viral meningitis, there is none. A baby's immune system is usually strong enough to neutralize the virus quickly, and no treatment is necessary. But your doctor may still want to keep your baby in the hospital for a few days to monitor his symptoms. Otherwise, you can soothe your little one's misery as you would flu symptoms, with rest, plenty of liquids, pain relievers, and pampering.
Bacterial meningitis is another story.
To banish this more insidious invader, doctors flood the bloodstream with strong antibiotics such as cefotaxime and vancomycin. Many are even fed through the IV if they're feeling really sick. Any delay in treating bacterial meningitis puts a child at risk for deafness, mental retardation, or death. No one knows. The bacteria that cause meningitis are already present in the mouth and throat of many healthy children and adults, and don't cause any problems.