Risk Factors for Meningitis
| About risk factors: Risk factors for Meningitis are factors that do not seem to be a direct cause of the disease, but seem to be associated in some way. Having a risk factor for Meningitis makes the chances of getting a condition higher but does not always lead to Meningitis. Also, the absence of any risk factors or having a protective factor does not necessarily guard you against getting Meningitis. For general information and a list of risk factors, see the risk center. |
Risk factor list: The list of risk factors mentioned for Meningitis in various sources includes:
- Age under 1 year
- Age under 5 years
- Age group 15-24
- Contacts of confirmed meningococcal cases
- Immune compromise
- Overseas travel - especially to Africa or parts of Asia where meningococcus is more common.
- Institutions - have been associated with meningococcal disease outbreaks
- Low humidity - bacterial meningitis such as meningococcus more common in dry rather than wet weather.
- Dust storms
- Cigarrette smoke - increases the risk of contagion from bacteria.
- Skull fracture - permits entry of bacteria
- Saliva
- Kissing
- Droplet contagion
- Fluid contagion
Last revision: June 2, 2003
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