Home Treatment

Home treatment usually is all that is needed for most people who have viral meningitis. It includes:

• Resting. Rest promotes healing and provides relief from symptoms such as headache. Quiet activities, such as reading books, playing board games, watching videos, or listening to music, help pass the time.
• Reducing fever. Sometimes no treatment is needed for fever. Cool washcloths to the forehead, cool baths, and medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin) can be used to reduce fever. For more information on fever, see the topics Fever, Age 3 and Younger and Fever, Age 4 and Older.
• Relieving minor pain. Headache is a common symptom of meningitis. Some people also have muscle aches and pains. Minor pain usually can be relieved with medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin).
• Preventing dehydration. Common signs of dehydration include a dry, sticky mouth and urinating only small amounts of dark-colored urine. You can prevent dehydration by drinking extra liquids such as water, juices, teas, and rehydration drinks. Children may enjoy frozen juice bars or snow cones. If a person vomits, he or she needs to avoid solid food and take frequent small sips of water or other liquids.
• Watching for signs of complications during illness. The most common complications include fever lasting for longer than expected and seizures. Some people with complications during illness may need to be treated in a hospital.

Home treatment also is necessary after recovery. It is important to look for signs of long-term complications of meningitis, such as hearing loss.