How to Know if You Are at Risk for Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Many different bacteria and viruses can cause meningitis. There are several things you can do to decrease your risk of becoming infected.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Evaluate your current health.
2. Know the factors that would put you at risk: compromised immune system, head injury, major surgery, chronic sinusitis, earaches, sickle-cell anemia or being around secondhand smoke.
3. Consider your overall health. Do you smoke? Are you a heavy drinker? Do you kiss strangers? Do you live in crowded housing conditions? If you answered yes to any of these, you are at increased risk of contracting meningitis.
4. Ask yourself whether you successfully avoid illness. Have you suffered from a prolonged fever, or unexplained aches or rash? These could mean you have an increased risk of contracting meningitis.

Tips & Warnings

• Acute bacterial meningitis can be lethal within hours. For any unexplained fever in children between 3 months and 2 years old, call your pediatrician.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.