Emergency MedicineInfectious Disease
Suspected Bacterial Meningitis (Adult)
NICE NG240 — early antibiotics, dexamethasone, lumbar puncture indications, contact prophylaxis.
Source: NICE NG240 (2024); NICE NG143 (paeds)
Used in: Meningitis & Encephalitis
Step 1 of ~7
info
Recognise & Resuscitate
Classical triad (fever + neck stiffness + altered mental state) absent in many. Consider in any: fever + headache, fever + rash (especially non-blanching petechial), seizure, ALOC, focal neurology. ABCDE, IV access, monitor. NEWS2 + GCS.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Drugs
- Dexamethasone (Paediatric) · Corticosteroid — Croup / Bacterial Meningitis / Post-Extubation Stridor / Cerebral Oedema
- Dexamethasone (ICU / ARDS) · Systemic Corticosteroid
- Dapsone · Anti-inflammatory / Antimicrobial
- Magnesium Sulphate IV (Additional Indications) · Magnesium salt / bronchodilator / antiarrhythmic
- Dexamethasone · Potent Systemic Corticosteroid
- Acetic Acid 2% (Ear Drops) · Topical antibacterial / Antifungal (ear)
Pathways
- Difficult Airway Algorithm (DAS) · DAS 2015; Royal College of Anaesthetists
- Major Haemorrhage Protocol · NICE NG24; UK MHP guidelines
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines
Featured in these MRCEM clinical pathways
A deeper exam-focused version of this pathway is available on our sister siteReviseMRCEM.
MRCEM Primary / Intermediate / OSCE candidates: each pathway includes exam-style questions, RCEM/NICE citations, and FAQ summaries.
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.