To not be confident about the meningitis "glass test"

[Idontneedanotherhero]

My dd (2) has high temp and rash on torso. Have pressed glass onto it but I'm not really confident about what I'm looking for. I'm fairly sure she has something called roseola but my husband thinks I'm mad cos I'm still worrying over the glass thing. Is there a definitive answer?

[noblegiraffe]

Does the rash disappear when the glass is pressed onto it? If not, get to A&E, just in case.

[whatadrain]

If you're worried then go to A&E! My daughter had Meningitis so I'm a massive hypercondriac! It's more than likely a viral rash, but please get her checked by a doctor if you are at all concerned. Hope she feels better soon.

[DoughnutSelfie]

Most rashes blanch with the glass test

Not all non-blanching rashes are Men

You do need to see a medic asap to rule out Men though if the rash doesn't blanch

Other Men symptoms include aversion to light and very strange cry amongst others

[londonrach]

Hope this helps. www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/pages/introduction.aspx

If worried contact out of hours or go to a & e. Hope your dd is better soon. X

[NoMarymary]

The rash from meningitis/septicaemia is caused by tiny blood vessels under the skin bleeding and they are bruises. The glass must be pressed firmly (very!) and the rash only needs to fade although it usually disappears.

Frankly by the time the petechial rash appears the child is usually at deaths door so a child hopping around and happy will not have septicaemia.

[usmama]

here's a vid with a good demonstration of glass test

but of course get her seen if any doubt

[FuzzyWizard]

I'd seek medical attention if you are concerned... Meningitis rashes don't fade when pressed with a glass but meningitis is not the only illness to cause such a rash so seek medical advice but don't panic unduly. If there are other symptoms consistent with meningitis seek attention regardless of the rash as not all cases of meningitis present with a rash.

[NoMarymary]

Meningitis causes a child to be very ill before the rash appears, but the whole thing from start to full blown men/septicaemia can be frighteningly fast. I am talking hours

[DoughnutSelfie]

I know Mary, it is terrifying. And that was in an adult.

[NoMarymary]

Early signs that are worrying are not being able to put the chin to the chest. Vomiting. High fever. Aversion to bright lights. Cold hands and feet but hot chest. Drowsy and/or confused.

[NoMarymary]

I am peed of beyond belief doughnut that the vaccine is so difficult to get hold of and ridiculously expensive.

[TheBogQueen]

Phone 111

The nurse will take you through the protocol

[Idontneedanotherhero]

Thanks all :)

[Idontneedanotherhero]

I think she's ok, the rash is a bit raised more like spots so I don't think it's caused by blood vessels, I'm just being a hypochondriac on behalf of her I think, horrid to see her so poorly :(

[TallulahTwinkletoes]

I can never do it with a glass. I press (apply pressure) with my fingers and trail along the skin. If the skin and rash goes white and the rash disappears you're ok ?? because you can watch all the skin it's easy to compare. A glass gets in the way.

[Jennifersrabbit]

The glass test is that most big standard rashes will turn from red to white ('blanch') under pressure. If you press a glass on the rash you can see this happening. A non blanching rash is when the spots stay bright red even under pressure/ under the glass.

As pp said not all children with meningitis will have a non blanching rash, and not all non blanching rashes will be meningitis. It is a serious symptom that needs attention ASAP though.

How is she in herself and how high is the temp? If you have a poorly small child that you're worried about for any reason, never be hesitant about getting them checked or ringing 111 for advice and reassurance. When mine were small the docs always said they'd prefer to see a load of well children than miss one really sick one.

Hope that helps and she's soon feeling better.

[Jennifersrabbit]

Sorry, bog standard rashes!

[NoMarymary]

As Jennifer says, some children will have a blanching rash and still have meningitis. Basically look at the child, not the rash. High velocity vomiting will cause a non blanching rash on the cheeks. Basically the force pops the tiny blood vessels and they bleed under the skin. Looks dark red or black.

[KingJoffreysBloodshotEye]

The glass test is bullshit.

I'm not saying it doesn't work, it may well do.

But if you're in any doubt get some professional help.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

My DD gets migraines that cause projectile vomiting, aversion to light and due to the violence of the vomiting she gets a petechiae rash. I have been the A&E and other doctors more times than I care to remember. I have never ever been dismissed, DD has always been carefully examine and I have been advised that I should have her checked very time.

[Stealthpolarbear]

" Add message | Report | Message poster TallulahTwinkletoes Sat 01-Nov-14 20:05:27
I can never do it with a glass. I press (apply pressure) with my fingers and trail along the skin. If the skin and rash goes white and the rash disappears you're ok  because you can watch all the skin it's easy to compare. A glass gets in the way.
"

No that's not true. I passed the glass test but had meningitis. So it's not fool proof.
Op if you're worried call 111,. Hope everything's ok

[BertieBotts]

I was shown how to do it with fingers. Basically if you stretch the skin between fingers, it goes white, along with the rash. If the rash stays red, then you need to see a doctor urgently just in case.

Presumably it only works on Caucasian skin too?

From the symptoms you describe it sounds like a normal viral rash, possibly scarlet fever. If the temp is not coming down with calpol then get her seen, but normally a rash will accompany fever, it's just a sign that the body is fighting the infection.

[Stealthpolarbear]

Oh and my mum, who did the test, was a nurse
So I'd say if it doesn't Blanche, get it checked. If it doesn't, don't assume all is fine

[herethereandeverywhere]

If you are in any way worried about meningitis please don't wait for a rash to appear. As other posters have said, the rash is septicemia - once the illness is at this advanced stage it is very difficult to reverse.

Trust your instincts and/or call 111 for advice.

[PrettyPictures92]

I don't trust the glass test. My ds was tetchy, very tired/floppy (to be fair it was half 10 at night and he goes to bed at 7 pm) and running a temp last year, with a rash that didn't disappear under the glass. Rushed him to a&e petrified he was about to die any second from meningitis. Turned out he was having an allergic reaction to dog hair and coming down with a cold...

Thankfully the doctor who examined him took me completely seriously and when I felt like a complete and utter idiot assured me taking him in was the best thing to have done since it could well have been something more life threatening.

My point is, if it doesn't go away under a glass get to the doctors as fast as! These things aren't worth messing about with and even if you end up feeling like a tool later on at least everything will be ok