The first signs of meningitis include fever, fatigue, a stiff neck, headache, nausea and vomiting, confusion and vision problems. The symptoms may come on slowly. HIV disease or medications can also cause these symptoms. Therefore, laboratory tests are used to confirm that you have meningitis. The tests use spinal fluid.
Doctors get the fluid by doing a spinal tap.
A needle is inserted in the middle of your back just above your hips. The needle removes a sample of spinal fluid. The test is safe and usually not too painful. However, some people get headaches after a spinal tap that can last a few days. The spinal fluid can be tested for cryptococcus in two ways.