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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 medicines 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 Canada.

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

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Revised February 8, 2011

Last Revised: February 8, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease

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