When to Seek Medical Care

If a caregiver is concerned that a child has developed meningitis, immediate medical help is essential. Because meningitis is a medical emergency, treatment at a hospital's emergency department is more appropriate than at a doctor's office. If transportation is not available, a caregiver should immediately call 911 for emergency medical services to have the child brought to a hospital's emergency department.

Meningitis is a disease that needs prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment. A doctor must perform specific tests to check for meningitis. Meningitis cannot be diagnosed over the phone or simply based on a telephone description of the situation.