The most common causes of meningitis are bacterial infections that start in other parts of the body and spread to the brain or spinal cord via the bloodstream. Prior to the availability of the Hib immunization Haemophilus influenza was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years of age. It occurs most frequently in children from 1 month up to 4 years with a peak at 6 to 9 months then begins to decline. The Common Cold Colds are most prevalent among children, and seem to be related to youngsters' relative lack of resistance to infection and to contacts with other children in day-care centers and schools.
Children have about six to ten colds a year.
In families with children in school, the number of colds per child can be as high as 12 a year. The Facts about Meningitis Bacterial meningitis remains one of the most important infectious diseases encountered by physicians who care for children. The responsible organisms can severely damage or kill nerve and brain tissue, sometimes inflicting permanent neurological injury if left untreated. Bacterial meningitis is caused by a bacterium. It is an inflammation of the meninges, the thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord.