how long TB meningitis symptoms last while taking the medication?

[yawb]

My Dad is diagnosed with TB meningitis,he is taking the medication and he got better for 5 days after starting the medication...On the 6th day he had headache ,vomit once, seizure and his right face turned to the right.after a while the seizure stopped and his face returned to normal.but after that day he has regular headache ,he has to take pain killer or else..he can't bear the pain and act normal.now it is two weeks after starting the medication..Does this headache will continue until he finish the medication?? In addition to that he easily get tired,sometime he get better and sometimes not..(it include his right hand and right leg) ..Is this normal while recovery from TB meningitis ??

[yawb]

Beside the headache there is pain and stiff neck

[StrawberryCream]

This is info off the Meningitis Now website

TB meningitis

TB meningitis is caused by the bacterium, mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infection begins elsewhere in the body, usually the lungs, but in about 2% of cases the bacteria causes TB meningitis

TB meningitis

TB meningitis - the facts

There are around 200 cases of TB meningitis reported each year in the UK

TB meningitis usually develops slowly

Anyone can get TB and therefore TB meningitis, but it is more likely to affect those living in poor conditions, such as the homeless, and those with other illnesses, especially HIV infections

TB infection usually begins in the lungs and in about 2% of cases the infection can progress to TB meningitis

At least 20% will suffer long-term after-effects. These are often severe and may include severe brain damage, epilepsy, paralysis and hearing loss

Tragically, between 15-30% of patients will die despite receiving treatment and care

Download our TB meningitis fact sheet

The symptoms

TB meningitis can display vague symptoms such as aches and pains, loss of appetite and tiredness, usually with a persistent headache

These vague symptoms can last for several weeks before the more specific symptoms of meningitis, such as severe headache, dislike of bright lights and neck stiffness occur

The slow progression of the disease makes it difficult to diagnose and it is often advanced before treatment begins

How TB meningitis is caused

Tuberculosis bacteria enter the body by droplet inhalation i.e. breathing in bacteria from the coughing/sneezing of an infected person.

The bacteria multiply within the lungs, pass into the bloodstream and are able to travel to other areas of the body

If the bacteria travel to the meninges (protective layers that protect the brain) and brain tissue, small abscesses (tubercles/microtubercles) are formed

These abscesses can burst and cause TB meningitis. This can happen immediately, or several months or years after the initial infection

The infectious process causes a rise in pressure within the skull, resulting in nerve and brain tissue damage, which is often severe

Areas of the world that have a high incidence of TB:

Africa

South East Asia

Eastern Mediterranean

Western Pacific

People working or travelling in these areas should seek advice about BCG vaccination. In areas of the world where the incidence of TB is high, TB meningitis is most common in children under five. Where the incidence of TB is low, most TB meningitis cases are in adults.

How is TB meningitis treated?

Due to the slow progression and non-specific early symptoms of TB meningitis, diagnosis can be difficult. However, research has shown that early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the outcome of the disease.

If treatment is started early, most people will make a good recovery provided that the treatment course is completed

TB meningitis requires admission to hospital and close monitoring to assess the progression of the disease

Each patient will be individually assessed and their care planned accordingly. All patients will be given a combination of antibiotics to treat the infection

In the UK, isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and a fourth drug (e.g. ethambutol) are usually given for the first two months, followed by isoniazid and rifampicin for the next ten months

This combination is given to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance developing

Treatment may vary according to the response of the individual patient

Drug resistant TB meningitis may require long schedules of treatment with a variety of alternative antibiotics. A steroid (e.g. prednisolone) is also often recommended for the first few weeks of treatment

It is essential that the full course of treatment is completed. This will reduce the risk of the disease returning and of the bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics

What happens when there is a case of TB meningitis?

In order to develop TB meningitis, a person will have acquired the bacteria via the lungs and may therefore have active TB in areas of the body other than the brain.

Contacts of the person with TB meningitis will be offered testing and, where appropriate, antibiotic treatment and/or BCG vaccination

It is possible for a person to be infected with the TB bacteria, but not develop TB disease. This is known as latent TB because the TB bacteria are not active in the body. The person is usually well and cannot pass the bacteria to other people

However, there is a risk that latent TB may develop into active TB and, for this reason, latent TB is still treated with antibiotics, but for a shorter length of time

Can TB meningitis be prevented?

Yes, there is a vaccine known as BCG. This vaccine is effective in babies and young children. It gives good protection against the more severe forms of TB, such as TB meningitis.

BCG vaccine used to be offered to all children at secondary school in the UK. Due to changes in the distribution and occurrence of TB in the UK, the vaccine is now offered to those individuals who are at greatest risk

The current programme of vaccination targets babies, children and older people who are most likely to catch the disease

The vaccine is also recommended for healthcare workers who may be exposed to TB

For more information about the BCG vaccine visit the NHS website

We can help. Call our Meningitis Helpline on 0808 80 10 388 to speak to our experienced staff. Alternatively, email us at [e-mail] and we will come back to you as soon as we can.