Suspected Meningitis Age > 56 days Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department, Inpatient and ICU
Suspected Meningitis Age > 56 days Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department, Inpatient and ICU
Definitive Therapy Recommendations for Confirmed Bacterial Meningitis with Known Organisms
Consult Infectious Diseases for all confirmed cases of meningitis. Antibiotics should be tailored according to final antibiotic susceptibilities. Intravenous antibiotics are recommended for the full course of treatment. Carefully selected patients may be eligible for outpatient completion of IV antibiotics, but should be clinically stable, afebrile, and able to receive IV antibiotics in an outpatient setting with close, reliable follow-up.
Organisms and Treatment Length
Organism | Treatment Length |
---|---|
Neisseria meningitidis* | 5-7 days |
Haemophilus influenzae* | 7-10 days |
Streptococcus pneumoniae | 10-14 days |
Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus) |
14-21 days |
All other organisms | Consult ID |
*Chemoprophylaxis may be indicated for close contacts or in outbreak situations