PEDIATRIC TOP-UPS: TREATMENT PROTOCOL FOR CONTACT WITH MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

ACUTE MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE: CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS

Who requires prophlylaxis?

1. Index Case (if treated only with penicillin)
2. All intimate, household or daycare contacts who have been exposed to Index Case within 10 days of onset.
3. Any person who gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the Index Case.

Recommended prophylaxis:

Age	Drug	Dose and schedule
Infants <1 month	rifampicin*	Rifampicin 5mg/kg 12-hourly for 4 doses
Children > 1 month	rifampicin* OR ciprofloxacin	Rifampicin 10mg/kg (max 600mg) 12-hourly for 4 doses   Ciprofloxacin 125mg single dose ( <5yo) or 250mg single dose (5-12yo)
Adults	ciprofloxacin	500mg oral single dose
Pregnant or contraindication to rifampicin (e.g. severe liver or renal disease)	ceftriaxone	125mg ( <12 yo) or 250mg (>12yo) IM single dose

* Inform patients/carers that rifampicin causes orange/red discolouration of tears and urine and negates the effect of the oral contraceptive pill.