Meningococcal Infections
Disease Information
Tests
How does a doctor know that it's a meningococcal infection?
In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, your child's doctor may want to perform:
-
A lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- special needle is placed into the lower back, into the spinal canal
- measures the pressure in the spinal canal and brain
- small amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) can be removed and sent for testing to determine if there is an infection or other problems
- not be recommended if your child is very ill
-
Blood cultures
- Culture of skin lesions or rash
- Additional blood work (to evaluate bleeding times and cell counts)


