Seek urgent medical evaluation if meningitis is suspected
Check for fever
Check for severe headache
Check for neck stiffness
Check for light sensitivity
Check for nausea or vomiting
Check for confusion or altered mental status
Check for drowsiness or difficulty waking
Check for rash, especially purple or petechial
Check for seizures
Check for irritability, especially in infants
Check for poor feeding in infants
Check for bulging fontanelle in infants
Perform a physical examination by a clinician
Review medical history and symptoms
Obtain blood tests
Obtain blood cultures
Perform a lumbar puncture to collect cerebrospinal fluid
Analyze cerebrospinal fluid for white blood cells
Analyze cerebrospinal fluid for protein and glucose
Test cerebrospinal fluid with Gram stain and culture
Test cerebrospinal fluid with PCR or other molecular tests
Consider CT or MRI before lumbar puncture if indicated
Test for other infections or causes as directed by a clinician