Random Laurene Factoid: According to the 1946 U.S. Social Security Administration data, the first name Laurene is not a popular baby girl's name in Ohio. Imagine that, only 5 babies in Ohio have the same name as you in 1946.
Bacteria and viruses are the two main causes of meningitis. The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, also called meningococcus, causes meningococcal meningitis. In children and teens, meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis. In adults, it is the second most common cause.
The most common organisms of bacterial meningitis in children and adults are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis. Streptococcus pneumoniae is declining after the introduction of conjugated vaccines. Hemophilus influenzae, once very common in children, is now rare thanks to vaccination.