Meningitis Diagnosis

Meningitis must be diagnosed quickly, because symptoms can quickly escalate to brain damage, hearing loss, and even death. In order to make a meningitis diagnosis, the doctor will ask a number of questions (especially about recent travel and contact with ill people), perform a physical exam, and possibly order various tests. Two painless, noninvasive imaging procedures are routinely used to reach a meningitis diagnosis -- the CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

What is Meningitis

Meningitis Diagnosis: An Overview

An early meningitis diagnosis is vital; symptoms can appear suddenly and quickly escalate to brain damage, hearing and/or speech loss, blindness, or even death.

In order to make a meningitis diagnosis, the doctor will ask a number of questions about:

Current symptoms
Medications
Medical conditions
Family history of medical conditions
Activities of the past several days (such as any contact with ill people or recent travel)

The doctor will also perform a physical exam to look for signs or symptoms of meningitis. This exam will include a detailed exam of the brain and nervous system (known as a neurological exam). Finally, specific tests may be ordered to help diagnose meningitis, including:

Lab tests
Lumbar Puncture
Imaging tests
Electroencephalography, or EEG.

Meningitis Diagnosis: Neurological Examination

A neurological examination involves a series of tests designed to assess:

Motor and sensory function
Nerve function
Hearing and speech
Vision
Coordination and balance
Mental status
Changes in mood or behavior.

Doctors may test the function of the nervous system through tests of strength and sensation, with the aid of items such as a tuning fork, small light, reflex hammer, and pins.

(Meningitis Diagnosis Continued: Page 2)