Risk Factors of Meningitis
October 1, 2009
Meningitis is an infection that affects the central nervous system of the body. Primarily the meninges, which are the membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord are affected by the infection.
The cerebral spinal fluid is sometimes infected by the bacteria and virus responsible for this disease.
Meningitis causes
Majority of meningitis cases occur from viral infections. Enteroviruses that live in our stomach usually cause meningitis. Meningitis in children largely develops from the enteroviruses. In rare cases, other viruses, such as mumps virus, herpes virus and arbovirus, spread from insect bites, could be responsible for this infection.
Meningitis can also develop from bacterial infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are two types of bacteria responsible for most bacterial meningitis cases. These bacteria are usually harmless when they live in the nose and throats. However, if they enter the cerebrospinal fluid or the meninges, they can cause meningitis.
Meningitis risk factors
At birth
Meningitis is a contagious disease. It can pass from person to person. Sometimes infants get meningitis at birth. Although the mother might not show symptoms of meningitis, but nonetheless, the meningitis germs pass from the mother to the child, making the child suffer from the illness.
Poor hygiene
Poor hygiene is often responsible for this infection. The enteroviruses that cause meningitis could spread through the feces. Maintaining cleanliness and washing hands regularly could prevent meningitis. Rodents and insects can also pass the meningitis causing virus and bacteria to your body. Food contaminated with urine of rodents infected with meningitis can cause the disease. To prevent meningitis, you should always take foods and drinks prepared hygienically.
Contact with infected person
The saliva of the person infected with the disease could spread meningitis in a healthy person. To prevent meningitis, you should be extremely cautious while dealing with a meningitis patient. Coughing, sneezing, sexual contact or even kissing can spread this disease.
Weak immunity
Weak immune system increases the risk of meningitis. Cancer, diabetes, immunosuppressive drugs, HIV and autoimmune diseases tend to weaken the immune system, thereby increasing the risk of meningitis. Alcoholism and smoking could also weaken immunity.
Vaccination
To prevent meningitis, remember to give your child mumps vaccine.
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