Complications during illness with
meningitis may include:
fever. Fever caused by bacterial meningitis usually
goes away after 3 to 6 days of treatment with antibiotics. Fever that continues
after 6 days on antibiotics or that goes away and returns may mean that the
antibiotic is not killing the bacteria. On rare occasions fever is caused by
other conditions, including reactions to medicines used to treat
Seizures. This complication can develop because of
inflammation and swelling of the brain and tissues (meninges) surrounding the
brain. Sometimes controlling seizures is difficult.
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). This complication of bacterial
meningitis may develop 1 to 2 days after antibiotics have been started. SIADH
causes large amounts of fluid to build up in the body. If SIADH is not treated,
coma and death can occur.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This condition causes changes in the
blood. At first, the blood clots too quickly. Then it clots too slowly, causing
bleeding within the skin and tissues. DIC is
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