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Meningitis Risk Factors

The primary risk factor for meningitis is a suppressed immune system, which may be caused by the following:

Alcoholism
Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus)
Immunosuppressive drugs (e.g., corticosteroids, chemotherapies)
Intravenous drug abuse
HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes
Removal of the spleen
Smoking


Not receiving the mumps, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and pneumococcal (children aged 2 and younger) vaccines increases the risk for meningitis.
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