bacterial meningitis and sleepness?

Question

My new boyfriend said he had very bad meningitis disease when he 4 month old and left him long term effects such as looking down when he walks, slow in making decision, and most of all unusual sleeping.He sleeps for about 12hrs at least everyday.If he doesn´t go to sleep early he wakes up very late in the afternoon.This issue disturbs me and he said he has been like that for almost 20 years, he´s now 40yrs old.Can meningitis leave such kind of effect? what should I do to help him?

Answer 1

Bacterial meningitis is a condition in which the dural layers lining the brain (the meninges) have become inflamed as a result of infection with bacteria.

The classic symptoms of bacterial meningitis are similar to those of other forms of meningitis, including fever, headache, light sensitivity (photophobia), and confusion. Because of the continuity of the meninges and the linings of the spinal cord, movements that place strain on the spinal cord can cause worsening pain. In particular, movement of the neck and stretching of the legs cause a worsening of symptoms.

The mainstay of treatment for bacterial meningitis is antibiotic therapy. Empiric therapy, directed at the most common organisms, is provided until a microbiologic diagnosis is made. The initiation of antibiotics in a patient suspected to have bacterial meningitis should not be delayed while a diagnosis is made, due to the high incidence of complications in untreated patients—including brain damage, hearing loss, and death.

Cephalosporin antibiotics constitute the current standard treatment, although they must be administered in high doses due to their relative inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In addition, vancomycin is frequently added due to the high incidence of resistance of organisms to cephalosporins, particularly among Streptococcus pneumoniae. When Listeria is suspected, ampicillin may be added. If microbiologic testing eventually reveals an etiologic organism, the antibiotic regimen may then be altered to more specifically cover the appropriate bacteria.

The role of corticosteroids in reducing symptoms and preventing complications from antibiotics is controversial in adults, and less so in children.

it surely has those impacts which u mentioned..

hope this helps u..