They can be quite rare as Lizard has mentioned and they sometimes happen after a shunt has been revised or upgraded. At other times they can hit like a bolt from the blue and have no known cause.

I was told in 2004(by my Neurosurgeon) that something as simple as a cut anywhere on the skin can lead to the blood getting infected and possibly leading to meningitis. I developed it more than a year after my programmable was placed and had 14 days of IV infusion to clear the iinfection and the shunt was replaced too to remove any potential for further infection.

Be mindful of the signs of meningitis and get help asap. The signs for meningits can be quite similar to those of a shunt failure. It can mean the difference in how you well you may be for the rest of your life.

Mister