The preliminary diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis is based on clinical symptoms such as fever, headache, stiff neck, and confusion.
Meningococcal meningitis is a serious and life-threatening infection, so it is important to start treatment with antibiotics as soon as possible in order to prevent complications and death.
Unfortunately, the definitive diagnosis cannot be made until cultures, such as those on thayer-martin medium, are completed, which can take days. Therefore, in order to save time and prevent serious complications or death, treatment with antibiotics is started before culture tests are completed.
This is also important to prevent the spread of the infection to others. With treatment, the outcome of meningococcal meningitis is usually good.
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