A sobering story of how deadly meningitis can be
Today I was in the supermarket checkout queue with my twins after their first ever swimming lesson. We were all tired and grumpy and my daughter was pulling her brother’s hair and wouldn’t let go. The woman in front of me said to my girl ‘Oooooh that *hurts* when you pull hair!’which shocked the overtired tot so much that she started wailing. The poor woman was mortified and immediately tried to get Edie to cheer up by asking her all about swimming. I told the woman I could tell she was a parent as she had such a lovely manner with my child and asked her how many kids she had. I was unprepared for the response that she now had two but three years ago she was mummy to three.
Not being one to shy away from such topics I told her how sorry I was for her unimaginable loss and asked how old the child had been and what had happened.
She showed me a picture in her wallet of the most beautiful child I have ever seen and told me her name was Emily Davidson and she had caught meningitis when she was 7 but she would have been 10 years old now. Obviously I was weeping by this point.
Apparently Emily was her youngest child and was so hot and poorly that she phoned the doctor and NHS direct who both advised paracetamol and plenty of fluids. The next morning she found her dead in her bed.
What a story. I couldn’t believe it as have never really thought of meningitis as something which could actually harm my children –just assumed it would be unlucky others who would have their lives blighted by grim tragedy.
As a tribute to this lovely brave woman and her poor dead child I’m going to type out some info I have on a card in my file about mengitis symptoms.
Her parting words were ‘If your kids ever have a terrible fever take them to the hospital and don’t take no for an answer’.
Meningitis Symptoms in Babies:
- Fever –possibly with hands and feet feeling cold
- Refusing feeds or vomiting
- High pitched moaning cry or whimpering
- Dislike of being handled,fretful
- Neck retraction with arching of back
- Blank staring expression
- Child is difficult to wake,lethargic
- Pale blotchy complexion
Meningitis Symptoms in Children &Adults
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Light aversion
- Drowsiness
- Joint pain
- Fitting
NB:Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause septicaemia (blood poisoning). Septicaemia can develop quickly. The spots or bruises do not turn white when pressed. The rash must be taken seriously &a doctor called immediately.
Always keep a note of your doctor’s name and number in your wallet and also the location of the nearest hospital with emergency facilities.
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