Early clinical clues to meningococcaemia

Abstract

Meningococcal septicaemia has high mortality, especially when the diagnosis is delayed or missed. Early recognition is not always straightforward, as classic clinical features may be absent or overlooked at initial presentation. Septicaemia without focal infection accounts for 15%-20% of cases of meningococcal disease and is the most worrisome manifestation in terms of diagnosis and outcome; in contrast, meningococcal meningitis is usually straightforward to diagnose, with a relatively good prognosis. Useful early clinical clues to meningococcaemia include: - a haemorrhagic (petechial or purpuric) rash; - blanching macular or maculopapular rash that appears in first 24 hours of illness; - true rigors; - severe pain in extremities, neck or back; vomiting, especially in association with headache or abdominal pain; rapid evolution of the illness; - concern of parents, relatives or friends; - patient age (highest incidence at age 3-12 months, followed by 1-4 and then 15-19 years); and - contact with a patient with meningococcal disease. In addition to specific clues, clinicians should look at the whole pattern of the illness. Timely clinical review is essential if there is doubt about the diagnosis. In any acutely febrile patient, it is prudent to ask "Why is this patient seeking help now?", then "Could this patient have meningococcaemia?".