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A member asked:
What are the complications of lumbar tap? if i suspect that i have meningitis, is lumbar tap something that can be readily requested to be done?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
Almost none: Lumbar puncture ("spinal tap") is very safe. The most common complication is headache in the following days, and this usually goes away by just resting a couple of days. The danger of meningitis is far higher than any LP problem. However, nobody should have LP just because he or she suspects s/he has me meningitis. That's something for your doctor to determine before doing an LP.
Answered 9/9/2016
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