What is the first step in developing bacterial meningitis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first step in developing bacterial meningitis is nasopharyngeal colonization by a meningeal pathogen, meaning that the pathogen colonizes the nose and throat area before invading the meninges (the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord). Factors such as living in close quarters and poor sanitary conditions may increase the likelihood of transmission, but they are not the initial step in the development of the disease. A cold that compromises the immune system may make individuals more susceptible to infections, but it is not directly related to the development of bacterial meningitis.

What Is the First Step in Developing Bacterial Meningitis