Exposure to Meningitis pt

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My question is, what are the recommendations for Prophylactic tx for HCW's who have had close contact with a pt. that is diagnosed with Meningitis? We had a pt. in our ER dx with this yesterday, and we were told there is no policy on it, that the hospital has recently stopped giving Cipro 500mg to workers who have had close contact. We were told by the Department Supervisor to go home and shower and just watch for any symptoms. I cannot find any recommendations on this online, and employees are not happy with this. Any info or advice on this would be much appreciated!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Bacterial or viral?

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My question is, what are the recommendations for Prophylactic tx for HCW's who have had close contact with a pt. that is diagnosed with Meningitis? We had a pt. in our ER dx with this yesterday, and we were told there is no policy on it, that the hospital has recently stopped giving Cipro 500mg to workers who have had close contact. We were told by the Department Supervisor to go home and shower and just watch for any symptoms. I cannot find any recommendations on this online, and employees are not happy with this. Any info or advice on this would be much appreciated!

(a) Call your doctor because we can't provide medical advice

(b) Why was your infection control department and employee health not contacted once this exposure was discovered? ***

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Specializes in Pedi.
Bacterial or viral?

Right. There's no problem whatsoever if it was viral meningitis or, if bacterial, if it was something like lyme. (I did see a medical student go into a room of a child with lyme meningitis in full on droplet/contact precaution gear a few weeks ago. He might want to review what Lyme is and how it is spread.) Meningococcal would be the big concern, but Menactra is given pretty routinely nowadays.

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Members on this site, as we are not medical providers, may not give medical advice.

Check out CDC guidelines/recommendations for Healthcare Workers: Meningitis | Home | CDC

Looks like treatment depends on what kind of meningitis one is exposed to.

I recommend checking with your Employee Health dept AND contacting your PCP for advice.

Wishing the best for you and all involved.

Closing this thread.

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