My parents told me i had spinal meningitis when i was a toddler. it was in the 1973 my blood work as an adult did not show antibodies. misdiagnosis? d

Meningitis...: There are many causes of meningitis - both bacterial and viral. I don't know what "antibody test" you had; however, it is unlikely it tested for all possibilities. The truth is that you likely had your diagnosis made by spinal tap AND obviously recovered SO the diagnosis from 1973 is no longer significant in your life. Take care :)

Meningitis: Spinal meningitis was a "catch all" phrase in those days. It doesnt necessarily mean it was the kind of meningitis that would show antibodies later on. As long as there are no side effects fromyour illness as a toddler, it is inconsequential what type of meningitis you had. You can obtain the hospital records, if it is important to you. :)

Antibodies resolve: After many years, antibody titers do decrease and in your case may have disappeared. the diagnosis may have been correct at the time.

Scary ones don't: The more common & worrisome cases of meningitis in that timeframe included H.influenzae,N.meningitidis & pneumococcus. None of these 3 bacterial causes will generate lifetime antibodies like you might for measles. Bacteria don't trigger the same response. We have vaccines that help kids develop enough antibodies to get them past the most vulnerable periods, but they never persist for life.