How do you detect meningitis?

Answer 1

The only way to know for sure if you have Meningitis or not is by having a procedure called a Spinal Tap. This is where they insert a needle into the spinal canal to get a sample of spinal fluid. They test the sample to determine whether or not the Meningitis is bacterial or viral.

Answer 2

To diagnose spinal meningitis, a sample of cerebral spinal fluid is taken from the lower region of the spinal cord with a hollow needle and is sent to the lab for testing. This is the same test for all meningitis.

Answer 3

I have seen only one patient of meningitis, that too during my internship. The patient was lying of bed with extended neck. The face of the patient was anxious. I tried to flex his neck. He was made to sit but neck could not be flexed. You have to go for lumber puncture and microscopic examination of such patient. You get cobweb formation in the fluid in case of tuberculous meningitis.

Answer 4

Look for obvious symptons like: pale and blotchy, fever, refusing food and drowsy. If there are signs of a rash then do the glass test.

Answer 5

The most important test used to diagnose meningitis is the lumbar puncture (commonly called a spinal tap).

Answer 6

A sample of cerebral spinal fluid is taken from the lower region of the spinal cord with a hollow needle and is sent to the labs for testing. This is the same test for all meningitis.

Answer 7

Spinal tap.