Meningitis Risk Factors

Meningitis is classified as an infection of the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. There are two types of meningitis, viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis. Bacterial is considered more dangerous, but any invasion of the meninges or cerebrospinal fluid can be serious. Knowing the risk factors can help to avoid an outbreak of meningitis.

Age

• Age often plays a role in the susceptibility to contracting meningitis. Usually, children under 5, adolescents between 15 and 24 and older adults are most commonly affected. Up until the 1980s, the children under 5 age group most commonly contracted meningitis, but a childhood vaccine program changed that, and now the most common age group with meningitis is 15 to 24, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Environment

• As an infectious disease, meningitis thrives in environments where people live closely together. Thus, the disease is more likely to occur in military camps, hostels or college dormitories. In addition, the disease can spread in a home or farm environoment where the person has regular contact with animals, since they have been known to spread the disease.

Disease

• Having some other conditions can put you at risk of contracting meningitis. Certain drug allergies, inflammatory diseases and cancer increase susceptibility, while pregnant women, who are at higher risk for contracting listeriosis, often end up also getting meningitis. The listeriosis also puts their unborn child at risk for being born with meningitis as well. Finally, any immune system deficiency such as AIDS, diabetes or taking immunosuppressant drugs can increase the chances of getting meningitis.

Substances

• Certain substances taken voluntarily can increase susceptibility to meningitis. Smoking and alcohol consumption are common habits among people who get meningitis, as are the sharing of certain objects like utensils, drinks, cigarettes or lipstick. Finally, the use of injectable drugs also greatly increases the chances of getting bacterial meningitis.

Other

• There are several factors for contracting meningitis that don't fit clearly into any category. Among these are getting a tattoo or giving or receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. In the same vein, kissing can increase the chances of getting meningitis.