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.. see also RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines  ..  management pdf .. Vaccination
The following websites also provide useful information on meningococcal disease:

• Meningitis Foundation of the United States (USA)
• Meningitis Trust (United Kingdom)

Prompt diagnosis of meningococcal septicaemia and meningitis and preadmission treatment of presumptive cases can be life saving.

Consider a diagnosis of meningococcal disease if signs and symptoms include:

In children and adults:

• Fever, pallor, rigors, sweats.

• Headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, backache, cranial

• nerve palsy.

• Vomiting and/or nausea, and sometimes diarrhoea.

• Lethargy, drowsiness, irritability, confusion, agitation, seizures or altered conscious state.

• Moaning, unintelligible speech.

• Painful or swollen joints, myalgia; difficulty walking.

• Whilst the absence of a rash does not exclude meningococcal disease, note in particular any haemorrhagic rash, particularly of a pinprick, petechial or purpuric appearance.

In infants and young children the following may also occur:

• Irritability, dislike of being handled.

• Tiredness, floppiness, drowsiness.

• Twitching or convulsions.

• Grunting or moaning.

• Turning from light.

Note in particular:

• Rapid deterioration in clinical condition.

• Repeat presentations to surgery/hospital.

• Normally calm friends/relatives who are more worried than symptoms apparently justify.

Actions

Carry benzylpenicillin in the doctor's bag. If meningococcal disease is suspected:

Immediately

1. Call an ambulance. and;

2. Administer antibiotics IV (IM if IV impossible).

3. Only if possible, collect blood for culture.

Notification

All cases of meningococcal disease, whether suspected or confirmed, must be notified immediately, by telephone, to the Communicable Disease Section of the Department of Human Services, who offer a 24 hour/7 day service.

Telephone all hours 1300 651 160

The Communicable Disease Section is responsible for identification of contacts who require clearance antibiotics, and other public health aspects of this disease.