A 9-year-old child is diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. Which of the following is the recommended chemoprophylaxis for household contacts?

• A Oral penicillin V for 7 days
• B Single intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone to contacts under 15 years only
• C Oral amoxicillin for 5 days
• D Single oral dose of ciprofloxacin ✓

Explanation

Household and close contacts should receive eradication therapy promptly because their risk of invasive disease is highest in the first week. A single oral dose of ciprofloxacin is standard in adults and children over 12 years, with rifampin or a single IM dose of ceftriaxone preferred in younger children and pregnancy. Penicillin does not reliably eradicate nasopharyngeal carriage, so it is not used for prophylaxis.

Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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