Medical history for meningitis

The medical history is an important part of diagnosing meningitis. If your doctor suspects meningitis, he or she will want to know:

  • Whether you have recently been in areas of Canada where there are ticks and mosquitoes that may carry germs that can cause meningitis.
  • Whether you have recently been in contact with someone who had meningitis.
  • Whether you have certain conditions or long-term illnesses that make you more likely to develop meningitis.
  • What medications you have taken recently.
  • Whether you have been sick recently or whether you have any long-term medical conditions.
  • Whether you have recently travelled outside of Canada.

If there has been an outbreak of meningitis in your community, your health professional may ask questions that compare your symptoms with symptoms seen in the outbreak.



Author: Debby Golonka, MPH
Carrie Henley
Last Updated: April 25, 2007
Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease

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