4. Shingles
If you thought that the relationship between the varicella-zoster virus and cases of meningitis ends there, you’re dead wrong. The condition known as shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox but it affects adults rather than children. You see, after you contract chickenpox, the virus remains in your body for years, lying dormant like a ticking timebomb.
After years of inactivity, the varicella-zoster virus could reactivate in the form of shingles. There have been many cases of shingles that led to spinal meningitis. Much like with chickenpox, the easiest way to prevent shingles is through childhood vaccination. After all, you’ll never develop shingles if you didn’t catch chickenpox as a child in the first place.
If, for whatever reason, your parents decided not to vaccinate you for chickenpox as a child and you did contract it, know that you should head to a hospital upon noticing the earliest signs of shingles. Immediate treatment is the best way to shorten the infection and reduce the risk of developing meningitis.