Rash in Meningococcal Disease
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| Fig 2: Meningococcal meningitis rash (courtesy of Wellcome Images) |
Most patients with meningococcal septicaemia develop a rash. However, this will not always be a feature at initial presentation. The rash can range from scanty blanching macular or maculopapular lesions to a rapidly evolving haemorrhagic rash. The text-book non-blanching rash may be a very late sign, and the underlying meningitis or septicaemia is often very advanced by the time this rash appears.
A generalised petechial rash or purpuric rash in any location, in an ill child, is strongly suggestive of meningococcal septicaemia and should prompt urgent treatment.