Chronic Meningitis Treatment in India

Sara Johnson, a 32-year-old elementary school...

Sara Johnson, a 32-year-old elementary school teacher, had always been active and healthy. Over three months, she developed a persistent, dull headache that never fully went away, accompanied by a low-grade fever and increasing fatigue that made it hard to get through her teaching days. She also noticed she was becoming unusually sensitive to bright classroom lights. Her primary care physician initially treated her for migraines and stress, but when her symptoms worsened and she began experiencing mild neck stiffness and difficulty concentrating, she was referred to an Internal Medicine specialist. The doctor, suspecting chronic meningitis given the subacute progression of symptoms, recommended a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to analyze her cerebrospinal fluid for signs of infection or inflammation. The procedure was performed under local anesthetic; Sara found it uncomfortable and anxiety-provoking but manageable with the support of the nursing staff. Analysis of the fluid revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis, leading to a diagnosis of chronic viral meningitis, likely triggered by a previous infection. Post-procedure, Sara required a few days of bed rest to recover from a post-lumbar puncture headache. With a clear diagnosis, she was started on supportive care and pain management. Over the following weeks, her headaches and fatigue gradually improved. Emotionally, Sara went from feeling frustrated and dismissed during the diagnostic odyssey to immense relief at having a name for her condition. While anxious about the long-term outlook, she felt validated and empowered to manage her recovery, slowly returning to her classroom with accommodations.