Definition:
Diagnosis
Treatment
Postexposure prophylaxis
-Indicated for any close contact regardless of immunization status. “Close contacts include those exposed in households, dormitories, or child care centers, or those who have direct contact with the source patient’s oral secretions. Travelers who are seated next to a confirmed case on a prolonged flight (> eight hours) or who have direct contact with respiratory secretions are at high risk.” AFP 2013
Options for prophylaxis are mostly single dose treatments, except for Rifampin which requires two days of treatment. They are:
- Ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally x 1 dose, OR
- Azithromycin 500 mg orally x 1 dose, OR
- Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM x 1 dose, OR
- Rifampin 600 mg orally, twice daily for two days
Begin antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis as early as possible, but no more than 14 days after exposure.
Reference
Am Fam Physician. 2013 Jul 1;88(1):25-32. Postexposure Prophylaxis for Common Infectious Diseases
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0701/p25.html