If a person has had Meningitis as a baby, what are the chances of them catching it again?

Question

I had Meningitis as a baby and I survived. I know it sounds a bit melodramatic but what are the chances of me contracting it again?

Answer 1

You did not indicate what kind of Meningitis you had. Meningitis is the general term for an infection if the brain. This can be caused by many different viruses and bacterias. Please do the math yourself. You are maybe be protected against the agent you caught as a baby, but there are still more potential infections out there. And if you are a student please consider the vaccine against menigococcus. It could save your life.

Answer 2

As many have said before, it really does depend on what caused the meningitis, virus, bacteria, which one...I can think of 25-30 bacteria and virus strains which can lead to meningitis. Your chances are probably marginally reduced from the rest of the population in that you have antibodies against the strain that caused your meningitis, providing it hasn't mutated.

Just to add in addition to other postings, meningitis isn't "in the brain". The meninges is the lining of the brain, -itis is inflammation. Encephalitis would be the inflammation of the brain.

Answer 3

There are many different causes of menigitis and you probably had a neonate meningitis such as caused by E.coli or Streptococcus agalactiae or Listeria monocytogenes.
These you are very unlikely to get again.
If you had an aseptic meningitis ie caused by a virus you probably have antibodies against that particular organism and it is unlikely you will contract it again.
But again there are many viruses that cause menigitis so getting one does not protect you from the others.
And there are lots of other organisms that can cause meningitis and your chance of catching them are as good as anyone elses unless you protect yourself by getting vaccinated with the Pneumococcal vaccine and the HIB vaccine.
Also if you get AIDS then your chances of getting menigitis get a lot higher.

Answer 4

Meningitis occurs when a harmful organism gains access to the brain from the outside or somewhere in the body like the nose. If you have an open pathway to the brain or spinal fluid then you may be at increased risk from another attack of meningitis. Do you have moles or tufts on your back, malformations of the head, deafness, history of head injury, persistent dripping nose, etc?

Answer 5

Babies have low immunity. Therefore, any organism can easily spread in the blood and cause a serious illness. It is less likely in a healthy adult. Different organisms are responsible for causing meningitis in babies as compared to adults.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

probably the same as the next person, there are many differant strains of menigitis. just keep your self healthy.

Answer 8

If you've been in remission this long,i would have thought the chances were slim.
If your really worried,have a talk with your doctor.

Answer 9

none its in you for life

Answer 10

good question...