Page updated 30 April 2007
Meningitis - Antibiotic Prophylaxis
Antibiotic prophylaxis may be advised for close family contacts of patients with meningococcal disease and siblings of those with Haemophilus influenzae. Throat or pernasal swabs should be taken beforehand to establish whether carriage is present but antibiotic prophylaxis must not be not delayed until these results are available. Common antibiotics chosen are rifampicin or ciprofloxacin. The advantage of ciprofloxacin is that it may be given as a single dose. Antibiotic prophylaxis is not usually given to staff caring for patients with meningitis. The risk of acquiring the infection is negligible. An exception would be made for those exposed to a large dose of secretions (eg mouth-to-mouth resuscitation). Acquisition of the causative organism may result in carriage and rarely in disease.
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