Take Legal Action for Meningitis Mis-Diagnosis

Meningococcal disease is often misdiagnosed as something less serious because early symptoms are similar to the flu. The fact that a patient has one symptom does not mean he or she has meningitis. It is usually a cluster of symptoms that raises a suspicion. Diagnosis is usually made by growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid, obtained by doing a spinal tap. This is how the type of bacteria is identified as well.

Most of the fatalities associated with meningitis occur because of failure to diagnose the disease early enough. Most doctors and pediatricians should diagnose meningitis based on the patient's medical history, a physical exam and certain diagnostic tests. During the exam, the physician will also usually check for signs of infection around the head, ear, throat and skin along the spine. The following are some of the most common tests performed to diagnose meningitis:

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Throat culture: A throat culture can find and identify the bacteria causing throat pain, neck pain and headache, but can't determine what pathogens may be in your spinal fluid.

Imaging: X-rays and computerized tomography (CT) scans of the chest, skull or sinuses may reveal swelling or inflammation. These tests can also help your doctor look for infection in other areas of the body or infections associated with meningitis.

Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): The definitive diagnosis of meningitis is often made by analyzing a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is collected during a procedure known as a spinal tap. In people with meningitis, the CSF fluid often shows a low sugar (glucose) level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein. CSF analysis may also help your doctor identify the exact bacterium that's causing the illness.

Meningitis Legal Action

Polymerase chain reaction analysis: If your doctor suspects meningitis, he or she may order a DNA-based test known as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification to check for the presence of certain causes of meningitis.

Patients with chronic meningitis caused by cancer or an inflammatory illness, you may need additional tests.