Meningitis Research Foundation estimates that there are around 3,400 cases of meningitis and septicaemia every year in the UK and Ireland.
They are deadly diseases that can strike without warning, killing one in ten, and leaving a third of survivors with life altering after-effects ranging from brain damage and deafness to loss of limbs. Babies, toddlers and young adults are most at risk.
It is every parent’s worst nightmare – trying to work out if your child is suffering from an illness such as the flu or desperately ill. Meningitis and septicaemia can typically cause this confusion because they are hard to identify – especially in the early stages.
Not everyone gets all the symptoms and they can appear in any order. Fortunately, most children have natural resistance to the bugs that cause meningitis and septicaemia and vaccines offer excellent protection against many forms. But not all forms can be prevented, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. These include:
- Fever and / or vomiting
- Severe headache
- Limb / joint / muscle pain (sometimes stomach pain/diarrhoea)
- Cold hands and feet/shivering
- Pale or mottled skin
- Breathing difficulty
- Rash (anywhere on the body)
- Stiff neck (less common in young children)
- Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children)
- Sleepiness/difficulty wakening up
- Confused/delirious
- Seizures (fits) may also be seen
In addition to these symptoms, babies can also present with a bulging fontanelle, poor feeding and irritability, especially when picked up. This may be accompanied by a high pitched moaning sound.
It is important to note that babies under three months may not present with a temperature.
The bacteria that cause meningitis and septicaemia are very common. At any one time about one in ten of us is carrying them at the back of our nose and throats without ever knowing they are there, and for most of us this is harmless. The bacteria are only passed by very close or regular contact such as coughing, sneezing and kissing.
The bacteria cannot live for more than a few moments outside the human body so they are not carried on things like clothes, bedding, toys or cups. This is important to remember if there is a case of meningitis in your child’s crèche or school; it is not necessary to keep your child at home as the level of risk is very low. In fact 97 per cent of meningitis cases are isolated.
The single most effective thing you can do to protect your children from meningitis is to make sure they are fully immunised. Every injection in the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule protects against some form of the disease.
Finally, remember to trust your instincts. This is very important when it comes to recognising meningitis and septicaemia; you know your child best and can spot differences in their behaviour. If you think your child is ill, get medical help immediately. Children with meningitis or septicaemia will usually get ill quickly and worse fast, so check them often, including during the night.
Meningitis Research Foundation supports people affected by this disease through in-depth information and support. If you would like more information or to talk to someone contact the foundation on Freephone helpline number - UK 080 8800 3344, ROI 1800 41 33 44 or visit the web site www.meningitis.org
