The diagnosis of meningitis is made by clinical observation of symptoms of the disease and confirmed by a test called lumbar puncture, which involves the removal of a small amount of CSF from the spinal canal. This test can show if there is inflammation of the meninges and which causal agent is essential for diagnosis and to guide the treatment of the disease.
Tests and tests your doctor may order include:
- The initial diagnosis of meningitis is made by assessing symptoms by the doctor.
- Observing whether the person experiences pain or difficulty moving the neck.
- High and sudden fever.
- Dizziness.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Lack of appetite.
- Thirst and mental confusion.
- For example.
The cultivation of CSF, also known as cerebrospinal fluid or CSF, is one of the main laboratory tests needed for the diagnosis of meningitis. This test involves taking a sample of CSF, a fluid around the central nervous system, using a lumbar puncture, that is sent to the lab for analysis and research of microorganisms.
This test is uncomfortable, but quick, and usually causes headaches and dizziness after the procedure, but in some cases it can relieve symptoms of meningitis by reducing head pressure.
The appearance of this fluid may already indicate whether the person has bacterial meningitis because in this case the liquid may become cloudy and in the case of TB meningitis may become slightly murky, in other types the appearance may still be clean and transparent as water.
Blood and urine tests may also be requested to help diagnose meningitis. The urine test may indicate the presence of infections, due to the visualization of bacteria and countless leukocytes in the urine, so uroculture may be indicated to identify the microorganism.
The blood test is also in high demand for the person’s overall condition, which may indicate an increase in the number of leukocytes and neutrophils, as well as being able to identify atypical lymphocytes, in the case of CBC, and an increase in the concentration of PCR in the blood, indicating infection.
Normalmente quando há sinal de infecção por bactéria, pode ser recomendada a realização de bacterioscopia e, caso a pessoa esteja internada, hemocultura, que consiste na cultura da amostra de sangue em laboratório para verificar a presença de infecção no sangue. No caso da bacterioscopia, a amostra coletada do paciente é corada pela coloração de Gram e, em seguida, analisada no microscópio para verificar as características da bactéria e, assim, ajudar no diagnóstico.
Depending on the results of microbiological examinations, it is also possible to check which antibiotic the microorganism is sensitive to, the most recommended being for the treatment of meningitis. Find out how meningitis is treated.
Imaging tests, such as CT and MRI, are only indicated if there is a suspected brain injury or sequelae of meningitis. There are suspicious signs when the person has seizures, changes in eye pupil size, and if TB meningitis is suspected.
When diagnosing the disease, the patient should stay in the hospital for a few days for starting treatment, using antibiotics for bacterial meningitis or medications to lower fever and reduce discomfort in case of viral meningitis.
The cup test is a simple test that can be used to help diagnose meningococcal meningitis, which is a type of bacterial meningitis characterized by the presence of red spots on the skin. The test involves pressing a transparent glass cup on the arm and checking if the red spots remain and can be seen through the glass, which can characterize the disease.