Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis aims to reduce carriage and secondary spread, and should be given within 24 hours of diagnosis to: [3,34]

• Household members who have had prolonged close contact within 7 days before the onset of illness (also consider child minders, and pupils in the same dormitory)
• Kissing contacts i.e. boyfriends/girlfriends
• Healthcare workers who have had direct exposure to droplets or respiratory secretions prior to completion of 24 hours of antibiotics (not required in nurseries/schools with isolated cases unless close contact)

Dosage: [3,34]

• Adults and children 12 years old and over – Ciprofloxacin 500mg single dose
• Children aged 5-11 years: Ciprofloxacin 250mg single dose
• Children aged 1-4 years: Ciprofloxacin 125mg single dose
• Infants aged less than 1 year: Ciprofloxacin 30mg/kg to a maximum of 125mg single dose