Secondary and prolonged fevers in bacterial meningitis.

The course of 88 patients with bacterial meningitis was reviewed to determine theincidence, etiology, and significance of secondary and prolonged fevers. Twenty-eight per cent developed secondary fever, and prolonged fever was noted in 9 per cent. Phlebitis, drug fever, and unrelated infections were the major established causes of complicating fevers. Fever was not due to an inadequate response to antimicrobial therapy in this series. The differential diagnosis of fevers complicating the course of bacterial meningitis is emphasized to avoid improper management.