title: Treatment of Meningococcal Disease.
abstract: Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection that may progress rapidly, even after appropriate treatment has commenced. Early suspicion of the diagnosis is vital so that parenteral antibiotic treatment can be administered as soon as possible to reduce the complications of infection. The outcome of meningococcal disease is critically dependent on prompt recognition of two important complications: shock and raised intracranial pressure. Rapid recognition of disease and of these complications, together with appropriate management is crucial to the outcome of affected patients. This article summarizes the clinical features of invasive meningococcal disease, diagnostic tools, treatment modalities, and common post-infection sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, St. Mary's Hospital and Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: s.nadel@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nadel
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Children; Meningococcal disease; Treatment