MENINGOCOCCAL PROPHYLAXIS

Course overview

NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS IS A GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIUM THAT INHABITS THE MUCOSAL SURFACE OF THE NASOPHARYNX IN APPROXIMATELY 10% OF HEALTHY PERSONS. THE INVASIVE MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE (IMD) IS A SEVERE FORM OF NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS INFECTION, MOST COMMONLY MANIFESTED AS MENINGITIS OR SEPTICEMIA. INITIALLY, NON-SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION WITH FEVER OFTEN LEAD TO A RAPID DETERIORATION OF THE PATIENT'S CONDITION AND DEATH WITHIN 12 TO 24 HOURS OF THE ONSET OF THE DISEASE. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS AS A DISEASE AND DISCUSSES THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN EDUCATING PATIENTS ON THE NEED FOR MENINGOCOCCAL PROPHYLAXIS AND THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE.