Meningitis screening procedures, from checking symptoms to lab tests

Meningitis occurs due to inflammation in the lining of the brain or membranes that protect the spinal cord. However, the initial symptoms are often subtle. In fact, meningitis can have dangerous effects. Therefore, medical examination plays an important role in detecting meningitis as well as determining the appropriate treatment for the cause.

Tests to diagnose meningitis

Diagnosis of meningitis by doctors aims to confirm inflammation in the lining of the brain and determine the infection causing it.

Swelling of the lining of the brain is not only caused by one type of disease-causing germ (pathogen), but it can also be the effect of infection with various viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. Through a series of examinations, the cause of meningitis can be determined with certainty so that you get the right treatment.

The main diagnostic procedure for this disease is through a lumbar puncture, which is the collection of spinal fluid (cerebrospinal) for analysis. However, there are also follow-up tests that are useful to complement the results of the diagnosis.

The following are the stages of the tests that need to be done to diagnose this lining of the brain:

1. Physical examination for signs and symptoms of meningitis

When you first consult, your doctor will look for signs and disorders that you suspect are meningitis symptoms. Physical examination of focal meningitis is performed on the ears, neck, head and spine.

A severe headache accompanied by a stiff neck is a characteristic symptom of this disease. For that, the doctor will slowly pull your neck forward. The stiff and painful neck condition will automatically make you bend over.

These health problems are usually followed by pain in the joints, muscles and spine. The doctor will fold your leg up to your hip and slowly straighten it back. When doing this movement, a strong pain in the spine can indicate a symptom of meningitis.

However, the diagnosis of menigitis cannot be determined solely from this physical examination. Other tests are still needed as a follow-up examination.

2. Blood test

In this test, your doctor or nurse will take a sample of your blood for further analysis. From the results of blood tests, it can be seen that an infection occurs in the body through an elevated white blood cell level.

If inflammation of the lining of the brain is followed by infection in a blood vessel (sepsis), the blood sample taken can show the type of bacteria causing meningitis.

Unfortunately, meningitis caused by a viral infection does not spread to the blood vessels, so other tests are needed to be sure.

3. Lumbar Pungsi

According to a University of Minnesota study, lumbar puncture is a test that can provide the main diagnostic information for meningitis.

This test procedure is performed by taking a sample of cerebrospinal, which is a fluid contained in the membrane that protects the brain and spinal cord. The fluid will be drawn through a syringe. The analysis will be carried out of the components in the cerebrospinal fluid such as white blood cells, proteins along with the infecting microorganisms.

The results of the cerebrospinal fluid analysis then determine whether there is true inflammation in the lining of the brain and spinal cord and the microorganisms causing the infection. This means that you can immediately tell what type of meningitis you are experiencing just from this examination.

4. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

PCR or molecular tests can be done to determine the type of virus that causes inflammation of the lining of the brain. In this test, the doctor will take samples of body fluids, for example from the cerebrospinal tract, to be examined in the laboratory.

According to its function, this test is only performed when the doctor suspects that a viral infection is the cause of meningitis. This can be seen because the symptoms of viral meningitis are generally milder than those of bacterial meningitis.

In addition to PCR, meningitis virus infection can also be known through antibody tests with examination results that can be obtained more quickly. However, the results are usually not as accurate as the PCR test.

5. Scanning test

Scanning or imaging tests to see the condition of the inside of the infected body are actually more necessary for evaluation of disease progression. However, this examination can help doctors distinguish meningitis from other diseases that also cause nerve disorders.

There are several scanning tests that are carried out in the process of diagnosing meningitis, namely:

• CT or MRI of the brain: This test can determine the location of inflammation of the meningitis in the brain. This test may also reveal various neurological disorders or other brain function disorders that need to be considered in determining the appropriate treatment.
• MRI of the spine: the test can show the location of inflammation of meningitis in the spinal cord. Other disorders, such as tumors, bleeding, and abscesses (purulent sacs) can also be detected.
• Chest X-ray (X-ray): Certain bacterial or viral infections that attack the lungs can be related to inflammation of the lining of the brain. One example is tuberculous meningitis. This condition can be confirmed from this scanning test.

When is it necessary to check for meningitis?

From the results of the examination, the doctor will then determine the appropriate treatment for meningitis. Although meningitis can be treated through medical treatment, you should still be aware of the dangers of this disease from an early age.

If you experience signs and symptoms of meningitis or recognize them when they occur to someone closest to you, immediately consult a doctor for an examination. Watch for symptoms such as chronic headaches accompanied by neck stiffness, nausea, and seizures.

Treating meningitis as soon as possible can prevent dangerous complications that lead to permanent brain damage and death.