Management of meningococcal disease

Despite introduction of effective vaccines, meningococcal disease remains a life-threatening illness with significant mortality, morbidity and long term sequelae. Prompt recognition and early treatment with antibiotics and recognition and aggressive management of complications such as shock and raised intracranial pressure are imperative. This article summarizes clinical features, presentation, pathophysiology and diagnostic tests; and focuses in detail on the course and management of the disease. As meningococcal infection has two main manifestations: septicaemia with associated shock; and meningitis, this article mainly addresses management of meningococcal septicaemia and meningitis.