The more common symptoms are fever, severe headache, stiff neck, bright lights hurt the eyes, drowsiness or confusion, and nausea and vomiting. In babies, the symptoms are more difficult to identify. They may include fever, fretfulness or irritability, difficulty in awakening the baby, or the baby refuses to eat. No specific treatment for viral meningitis exists at this time. Most patients recover completely on their own, and doctors often will recommend bed rest, plenty of fluids, and medicine to relieve fever and headache.
Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics.
The City of Berkeley has established clinics to administer antibiotics for students identified to be at risk of exposure. The tragic death of the nine-year old Berkeley resident was an isolated, rare occurrence of bacterial meningitis. City of Berkeley Public Health nurses worked with Berkeley Unified School District Officials to immediately investigate the situation to protect the health and well-being of all students and community members. The girl's immediate family members and classmates have been screened and no additional cases of meningitis have been reported. The final decision is a matter of informed personal choice.