Suspected Bacterial Meningitis or Meningococcal Disease

Patients with suspected bacterial meningitis or meningococcal disease should be transferred to hospital as an emergency

Do not delay transfer to hospital to give antibiotics to people with suspected or strongly suspected bacterial meningitis or meningococcal disease.

However, if there is likely to be a clinically significant delay in transfer to hospital for people with strongly suspected bacterial meningitis, give intravenous or intramuscular benzylpenicillin or cefotaxime outside of hospital (as per below dosing guidance)

Prevention of secondary case of meningitis:     

Antibiotic prophylaxis advised by public health team (can be contacted via NHS Forth Valley switchboard 01324 566 000)