Answer 23
Concerning meningococcal disease:
True a. vaccine is available for meningococci groups A and C
True b. sporadic outbreaks in the UK. are usually due to type B meningococcus
False c. close contacts should be treated prophylactically with oral amoxycillin 3g as a single dose
True d. outbreaks of disease occur seasonally in parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
True e. is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK.
N. meningitidis is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK and world wide. Asymptomatic nasal carriage occurs in 10-15% of normal people. Serious meningococcal disease is accompanied by the typical purpuric rash in two thirds of cases.
Contacts are usually given rifampicin 600mg b.d. for two days.
The part of Africa affected by epidemic meningitis is known as the meningitis belt. These outbreaks are caused by Group A organisms.
