Who is at risk? – National Meningitis Association

Anyone at any age can get meningococcal disease, but some people have a higher risk for the disease. These include:

Adolescents and young adults*
Infants less than one year old
People living in crowded settings like college dorms or military barracks
Those with persistent complement component deficiency or anatomic or functional asplenia
People traveling to certain areas outside the U.S. such as the meningitis belt in Africa
Laboratory personnel who are routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria
Those who might have been exposed to meningococcal disease during an outbreak

*Certain lifestyle factors among adolescents might contribute to their increased risk, such as:

Crowded living conditions (such as dormitories, boarding schools and sleep-away camps)
Attendance at a new school with students from geographically diverse areas
Irregular sleeping patterns
Active or passive smoking
Social situations where there is crowding
Moving to a new residence

We have a checklist to help make sure you’re prepared!