Early management of meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease is increasing in incidence in many countries, and effective vaccines for serogroup B strains will not be available for at least 5 to 10 years. In the interim, it is attention to principles of good clinical practice, particularly in the early management of the disease, that have the potential to reduce by half the current case fatality rate of approximately 10%. As discussed in this article, those principles include increased awareness, understanding of the disease and its early symptoms by parents and healthcare professionals, and careful attention to the patient before admission and during the hospital stay.
Cartwright
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Department of Clinical Microbiology, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, United Kingdom.
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010406:Penicillins; D003907:Dexamethasone; D010400:Penicillin G