Risk Factors
There are many risk factors for meningitis. The common ones include;
- Extremes of age (< 5 or >60 years)
- Chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, cystic fibrosis, adrenal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, and chronic kidney failure
- Crowding (experienced by college dorm residents and military recruits)
- Immunosuppression
- Dural defect (eg, traumatic, surgical, or congenital)
- Contiguous infection (e.g., sinusitis)
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
- HIV infection
- Thalassemia major
- Intravenous (IV) drug abuse
- Recent exposure to others with meningitis, with or without prophylaxis
- Bacterial endocarditis
- Sickle cell disease and splenectomy
- Alcoholism and liver cirrhosis
- Malignancy (increased risk of Listeria infection)