There are a number of risk factors for fungal meningitis , including the use of immunosuppressants ( such as after organ transplantation ) , HIV/AIDS , and the loss of immunity associated with aging . It is uncommon in those with a normal immune system but has occurred with medication contamination . Symptom onset is typically more gradual , with headaches and fever being present for at least a couple of weeks before diagnosis . The most common fungal meningitis is cryptococcal meningitis due to '' Cryptococcus neoformans '' . In Africa , cryptococcal meningitis is now the most common cause of meningitis in multiple studies , and it accounts for 20 – 25 % of AIDS-related deaths in Africa . Other less common fungal pathogens which can cause meningitis include : '' Coccidioides immitis '' , '' Histoplasma capsulatum '' , '' Blastomyces dermatitidis '' , and '' Candida '' species
medication contamination
New England Compounding Center meningitis outbreak
Meningitis