Pregnancy & Baby 

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Meningitis -
symptom check

It is a life-threatening condition, but it is treatable if you know what to look for and act quickly. Paediatrician, Dr Kerry Robinson provides a checklist of signs and symptoms

Who gets meningitis? It is more common in certain age groups including:

• Newborn babies
• Children under 10 years of age
• 18-19 year age group

Main signs and symptoms - when children can tell you how they feel, look for:

• Flu-like illness which comes on very quickly
• High temperature
• Severe headache
• Being sick
• Stiff neck
• Aching muscles and joints.

Later signs are:

• Drowsiness or loss of consciousness
• Lights hurting their eyes
• Fits
• Rash - this will only be present if there is infection in the blood (septicaemia). It is a red colour and may start off looking like tiny pin pricks which progress to looking like a bruise. If you press on the rash with a glass it does not disappear.

It is more difficult to detect in babies. Things to watch out for are:

• Uncontrollable crying, or a high pitched, moaning cry
• Refusing feeds or vomiting
• High temperature with cold hands and feet
• Blotchy skin, getting paler or turning blue
• Pin prick rash marks or purple bruising on the body
• Stiff body with jerky movements and arching neck or the opposite, floppy and lifeless
• Very sleepy/staring expression/difficulty arousing your baby
• Tense or bulging soft spot on baby's head

Remember, not every symptom needs to be present for a positive diagnosis of meningitis.

What should I do if I suspect my child has meningitis?

• Acting quickly saves lives.
• If you are concerned you should call your doctor right away.
• This can either be your GP or your nearest A&E department.

The message is DON'T WAIT.

For help and advice contact the meningitis help line on 080 8800 3344. This is operated by trained staff and nurses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information see:
What is meningitis.

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