Why is it that meningitis seems to affect mainly the young (13-21) and not so much after college age?

Question

Every time I see a news story about someone who has it, they are always in this age group.

Answer 1

Generally, kids seem to think they're invincible, and nothing can happen to them. Many college age kids are often away from home for the first time, and are trying to burn the candle at both ends, so they're stressed, and if one of them gets sick, because they're in such close quarters, it can spread like wildfire.