If you have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed or suspected meningococcal case, ciprofloxacin chemoprophylaxis should be taken as soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours. Ready Health offers same-day assessment and antibiotic supply.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease include: sudden severe headache, fever, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, a non-fading rash, or cold limbs with high temperature. Chemoprophylaxis is preventative — it is not a treatment for active infection. If symptomatic, seek emergency care urgently.
What Is Chemoprophylaxis?
Meningococcal bacteria can be carried in the nose and throat of infected individuals without causing illness. Close contacts of a confirmed or suspected meningococcal case may be carrying the bacteria without knowing. A single dose of ciprofloxacin kills meningococcal bacteria in the nose and throat, preventing the development of invasive disease.
This is not treatment for active meningococcal infection — it is a preventative measure. According to UK national guidance (UKHSA 2025), chemoprophylaxis should be given as soon as possible after a case is diagnosed, ideally within 24 hours and within 7 days of last exposure.
Ciprofloxacin 500mg single oral dose is the first-line recommended agent for adults and children aged 12 and over, as it is effective, requires only one dose, is readily available and does not interact with oral contraceptives.
Before attending your appointment, you must complete our pre-appointment clinical questionnaire. This helps our clinicians confirm your eligibility and identify any contraindications before you arrive. Complete the questionnaire here →
If you develop any symptoms of meningococcal disease (fever, headache, stiff neck, rash, photophobia, confusion) do not attend this clinic. Call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
Why timing matters
24 hrs
Chemoprophylaxis is most effective when taken ideally within 24 hours of a confirmed diagnosis. Do not delay — contact us today.
Who Is Eligible?
According to national UKHSA guidance, the following contacts of a confirmed or probable meningococcal case are eligible for chemoprophylaxis. Contact must have occurred within the 7 days before the onset of symptoms in the case.
Anyone living in the same household as the case in the 7 days before symptom onset.
Direct exposure to saliva through kissing, shared drinks or utensils.
Those sleeping in the same room — e.g. university halls or shared holiday accommodation.
Direct exposure to respiratory secretions during resuscitation or airway management.
Attending the same school or college alone is insufficient — closer contact criteria must be met.
Brief, non-intimate contact does not generally meet the threshold for prophylaxis.
Unsure if you qualify? Call 01257 676 001 or complete the questionnaire and our team will assess your eligibility.
Ready Health · Standish, Wigan
A single oral dose of ciprofloxacin, administered on-site. All-inclusive price covers your clinical consultation, eligibility assessment and antibiotic supply.
How It Works
Fill in our clinical pre-screening questionnaire before attending. Takes 5 minutes.
Book online and attend Ready Health, 22 High Street, Standish, Wigan WN6 0HL.
Clinician reviews your questionnaire, confirms eligibility and checks for contraindications.
Ciprofloxacin 500mg taken on-site under clinician supervision. You will be observed briefly before leaving.
Contraindications & Cautions
Our questionnaire and clinical assessment will screen for all contraindications. If ciprofloxacin is not suitable, our clinician will discuss alternative options with you.
All contraindications are screened via the questionnaire. If ciprofloxacin is contraindicated, alternatives such as rifampicin or azithromycin may be recommended. If you have already received prophylaxis for this exposure, please inform us.
Side Effects
Ciprofloxacin is well-tolerated by most patients. Side effects are generally mild and short-lived. You will be observed briefly after taking the dose and our team will provide written safety-netting advice.
Facial swelling, breathing difficulties, or signs of severe allergic reaction occur after taking ciprofloxacin — seek emergency medical attention immediately. Tendon pain (particularly Achilles) developing after the dose should also be reported to a doctor promptly.
Side effect profile
An MHRA 2024 review confirmed the risk of serious complications from a single dose is extremely small, while the benefit of preventing secondary disease is very high.
Why Ready Health
Prophylaxis is most effective within 24 hours. We offer same-day appointments — don't delay if you've been identified as a contact.
All assessments carried out by qualified, registered clinicians — GMC, NMC and GPhC registered.
Every patient is screened for contraindications and eligibility before being supplied. Safety first, always.
We document and can notify your GP where appropriate, ensuring your health records are complete.
22 High Street, Standish, Wigan WN6 0HL — accessible from across Wigan, Chorley and Lancashire.
Written safety-netting information provided at every appointment so you know exactly what to watch for.
Common Questions
Chemoprophylaxis means using antibiotics preventatively — not to treat an active infection, but to eliminate meningococcal bacteria from the nose and throat of someone who may be carrying it after exposure. A single dose of ciprofloxacin is the first-line recommended treatment for eligible close contacts of a confirmed case, as per UKHSA national guidance (2025).
Ideally within 24 hours of a confirmed diagnosis of the index case. Chemoprophylaxis can still be given up to 7 days after last contact with the case if you have been dispersed (e.g. returned home from university or a shared household). Do not delay — contact Ready Health immediately.
Ciprofloxacin is now the first-line recommended agent because it is given as a single dose (rifampicin requires multiple doses over two days), it does not interact with oral contraceptives, it is more readily available, and a 2024 MHRA review confirmed the risk of complications is extremely small while the benefit in preventing secondary cases is very high. It is recommended for use in all age groups including pregnancy.
No. If you have any symptoms of meningococcal disease — including fever, severe headache, stiff neck, photophobia, rash, confusion or cold extremities — do not attend this clinic. Call 999 or go to A&E immediately. Chemoprophylaxis is preventative only and is not appropriate for someone with active symptoms.
Yes. Short-duration ciprofloxacin is considered safe in pregnancy when benefits outweigh risks, and safe during breastfeeding. Our clinician will assess your circumstances at your appointment.
The questionnaire allows our clinical team to confirm eligibility, screen for contraindications and drug interactions, and ensure the appointment runs safely. It must be completed before attending. Complete it here →
Book Your Appointment
Complete the questionnaire first, then book your slot below. Same-day appointments available.
You must complete the questionnaire before attending. If the booking system does not load, call us on 01257 676 001.
If you have been identified as a close contact of a meningococcal case, time matters. Complete the questionnaire and book your appointment at Ready Health today. £20 — consultation and ciprofloxacin supply included.