Bacterial Meningitis from Medical Malpractice

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infection considered a medical emergency, especially in newborns. This type of meningitis can progressively worsen in a short period, meaning that timely treatment is of the utmost importance. Bacterial meningitis can lead to permanent injury or even wrongful death if left untreated. Death and injury are often entirely preventable if appropriate medical care is provided to individuals with this illness. Suppose an individual diagnosed with bacterial meningitis suffers permanent injury or death. In that case, it can be caused by medical malpractice and should be further investigated to determine if the outcome was preventable.

This is particularly true for babies who have been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. This is why the accepted standard of care is to guard against babies who have a temperature even as low as 100.4 degrees. This low temperature can easily be achieved if a baby has been crying for a long time, but setting this as a low threshold means that hurt babies can quickly be evaluated for the signs of bacterial meningitis or other devastating conditions. When healthcare providers ignore this low temperature as a warning sign, it could have devastating consequences.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries from bacterial meningitis that was not diagnosed or treated in time, or if a loved one passed away due to bacterial meningitis, contact an experienced bacterial meningitis lawyer to whether you are entitled to compensation located here at Medical Malpractice Universe.

What is Bacterial Meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is a type of infection affecting the meninges of the brain or the layers of wrapping around the brain that serve several vital functions. The condition leads to swelling in the brain and spinal cord, which can be life-threatening or even permanently disabling if not taken care of immediately. While there are different types of meningitis, such as virtual or fungal, bacterial meningitis is the most devastating—especially for a newborn baby—which can quickly go from no symptoms to death within 24-48 hours.

What Types of Bacteria Commonly Cause Bacterial Meningitis?

Many different types of bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis. The most common types of bacteria causing meningitis include the following:

Listeria monocytogenes
Neisseria meningitidis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Group B Streptococcus
Escherichia coli
Haemophilus influenzae
Mycobacterium tuberculosis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain types of bacteria are more likely to cause bacterial meningitis in certain age groups. Some people who infect other people with bacteria-causing meningitis may show no symptoms. These individuals are referred to as carriers.

How Does Bacterial Meningitis Spread?

Most germs spread from person to person. That being said, certain types of bacteria-causing meningitis can be spread through food, such as L monocytogenes or Escherichia coli. Group B strep or E. coli can be passed from mother to baby at birth.

What are the Risk Factors?

Certain factors place a person at higher risk for bacterial meningitis than others. Risk factors for bacterial meningitis include the following:

Having HIV, a CSF leak, or no spleen
Being a microbiologist working with pathogens that cause meningitis
Being in a group setting, allowing for a higher chance to catch something contagious
Recent head injury
Coming into contact with someone else who has it
Stay at a hospital or exposure at a hospital, and
Other risks factors related to these
Travel, especially to sub-Saharan Africa or to Mecca
Age – Babies

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

People should be aware of certain signs and symptoms as they can indicate that a person has bacterial meningitis. Signs and symptoms include the following:

Stiff neck with the inability to touch the chin to the chest (this is the classic, telltale sign).
Fever, especially a rapidly developing and increasing fever
Headache
Nausea
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Vomiting
Altered mental status
Skin rash

Signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis are different for a newborn. These signs and symptoms include the following:

Irritability
Vomiting
Poor feeding
Bulging fontanelle
Abnormal reflexes
Little or no activity

What Can Happen if a Person is Not Treated?

There are many severe consequences of leaving meningitis untreated. The most common outcome of bacterial meningitis is death. If there is a delay in treatment, but the individual is treated, they may suffer long-term seizures or brain damage. Hearing loss, vision loss, and other permanent disabilities may occur. Newborns may suffer from lifelong disabilities such as developmental delays, speech delays, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disorders.

How is Bacterial Meningitis Diagnosed?

Along with a physical exam and assessment of symptoms, a lumbar puncture is performed if it is suspected that a person has bacterial meningitis. This is to collect spinal fluid to assess for any presence of bacteria. This is the usual standard of care to rule-out bacterial meningitis. If a healthcare provider ignores the symptoms and does not perform this test, it could be medical malpractice if they have bacterial meningitis.

How is Bacterial Meningitis Treated?

Bacterial meningitis is treated with prompt use of antibiotics. Sometimes, a corticosteroid is also used to decrease swelling and inflammation. If a person with bacterial meningitis is dehydrated, IV fluids are also given.

How Can Negative Outcomes from Bacterial Meningitis be Due to Medical Malpractice?

As mentioned above, bacterial meningitis requires immediate medical treatment. Suppose a patient comes in with symptoms of meningitis but is not appropriately assessed, and it leads to death or other serious injuries from untreated bacterial meningitis. In that case, this can be seen as medical malpractice.

A delay in initiating antibiotic therapy for known or suspected bacterial meningitis can also be medical malpractice if the delay results in poor outcomes. Misinterpreting test results, leading to a delay in treatment that results in a poor outcome, is also seen as medical malpractice. Suppose a doctor or other healthcare provider diagnoses the patient with something different than meningitis, and it leads to a treatment delay, which leads to injury. In that case, this too is considered medical malpractice.

Delayed in Diagnosing or Treating Bacterial Meningitis? You May Have a Case for Compensation

Every case of bacterial meningitis is life-threatening and potentially deadly—no matter if you are a baby or an adult, or even a fully healthy and strong adult with no other co-morbidities. The symptoms of bacterial meningitis should never be ignored, especially in a baby, because this can be life-changing and life-threatening. If your loved one was diagnosed with this type of infection, contact our experienced bacterial meningitis lawyers here at Medical Malpractice Universe.