<prompt> Answer this question truthfullyWhat are the factors that increase the risk of bacterial meningitis?  <response>: <reason> Common risk factors of bacterial meningitis may include: AgeExtremes of age predispose to bacterial meningitis such as infants and old age Type of bacteria affecting affecting different age groups variesCommunity settingPeople living in dorms Military personnel Large gatherings in college campusesCertain medical conditionsRecent respiratory or ear infection Otorrhea or rhinorrhea Lupus Infective endocarditisWorking with meningitis-causing pathogensMicrobiologists Lab personnelTravelRecent travel to endemic area such as sub-Saharan Africa Travel to Mecca during the annual Hajj and Umrah pilgrimageImmunosuppressionProlonged steroid therapy Complement deficiency Diabetes mellitus Hypogammaglobulinemia Human immunodeficiency virus HIV infectionDisruption of anatomical CNS barrierBasilar skull fracture Neurosurgery CNS implants such as intracerebral pressure monitors CSF shunts Choclear implantsOther risk factorsSmoking Alcoholism Injection drug abuse Sepsis 