Treatment of Bacterial Co-infection in a Child or Adolescent with Severe Ebola Virus Disease
Clinical Scenario
This protocol applies to children older than 4 weeks and adolescents who present with Ebola virus disease complicated by a bacterial co-infection in the setting of severe disease.
Child >4 weeks / Adolescent
Bacterial co-infection
Severe disease
Why This Matters
Severe Ebola virus disease in paediatric and adolescent patients can be complicated by concurrent bacterial infection. Targeted antibiotic management of the co-infection is a distinct and important component of care in this population, and the antibiotic choice and course are age-dependent.
Treatment Approach — Partial Overview
Management in this scenario centres on IV antibiotic therapy to address the bacterial co-infection. An IV cephalosporin is the primary agent in severe disease, with the option to add a second IV antibiotic depending on clinical assessment.
Age-specific dosing, duration, sequencing, and the complete decision algorithm are available in the full structured protocol …
References
- Severe disease: IV ceftriaxone (usually 5 days).
- 4 weeks–10 years: 50–100 mg/kg once daily.
- 10–17 years: 1–2 g once daily.
- +/- IV metronidazole (usually 7 days): 7.5 mg/kg 8 hourly; maximum dose 500 mg.
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