Toddler symptoms.. does this sound like meningitis?

[justkeepswimming0]

37.73 temp 7am and 37.92 10am
Cold hands and feet
Not eating much
Disturbed sleep, 2 nights ago awake every hour, last night very heavy and had to keep checking he was breathing as not like him to not move a lot
Clingy and upset
Sounds like he’s losing his voice when he speaks very croaky sounding
Purple mark appeared on ear
Rash(?) appeared on back of neck

Awaiting call back from GP, pics attached of the rash (unsure if he’s just scratched it?) and the ear.. hard to get a pic as he won’t stay still

His face/stomach is hot to touch as well

Have you tried 111 while you wait for gp? They could make an appt for you at a&e

Does the neck rash disappear when you push a glass on it? I would be worried too with those symptoms and would be tempted to go straight to A&E to get him seen, but my GP isn't known for calling back quickly I've waited a whole day before.

Yes it disappears under glass so that’s good isn’t it just read up on that. They’ve said it’ll be this morning so if I haven’t heard by lunch time I will phone 111

The croaky voice and not wanting to eat could be tonsillitis and the rash disappearing under a glass is a good sign, but trust your instincts, if you are concerned it might be meningitis I would call 111 immediately - it probably isn't anything serious but if it is then you need help straightaway, not in an hour or two.

Thanks. I just tried to check his tonsils and instead got bitten twice very hard! He’s gotten up and is pottering around now rather than clinging to me. Hopefully it is just tonsillitis as his voice is very raspy

Not to me, but if you're uncertain then always take him to get checked.

The back of the neck looks like he's scratched it.

Ds used to get non-fading viral rashes and A&E (after being sent there multiple times) told me that the rash is a later stage of meningitis and if they've got to that stage then they are clearly ill.

Things to looks out for is reaction to light (that's normal daylight not even a bright light) but a quick check is get them to kiss they knee. With meningitis the neck is so stiff they can't bend the head to do that.

Obviously these aren't total guarantees, so if any doubt, go to A&E, if's either needed, or it's fairly easy to confirm otherwise.

Personally I would take my child to a and e if I suspected meningitis- the rash itself may NEVER appear as this is a sign of sepsis that is linked to meningitis and is actually one of the later stages of meningitis by which time the person is very very ill.

I would ring 111 just to be reassured or take them to urgent care. It’s always always better to be safe than sorry with something like meningitis

Hope he feels better soon

We’ve been seen he had a high temp of 38, swollen glands, sore tonsils and ears. They’ve said looks viral and to just keep an eye on him.

Make sure you keep a close eye on him for any extra rashes etc.

When I was 6, mum suspected Meningitis and took me to GP. He said tonsillitis and sent me home with calpol.

DMs instincts didn't agree and she demanded a second opinion. Second GP took one look at me and called ambulance, I had bacterial Meningitis and they said if she'd not taken me back it's likely it would have been too late.

I had meningitis again 3 years ago which was also shit but was viral so nothing like the first time.

I'm not telling you this to freak you out, just trust your instincts and it you feel there's more wrong then don't be afraid to get back onto them, or if he deteriorates just go to A&E.

I also had the classic rash, it appeared very quickly and looked like purple splotches so I don't actually know what GP number 1 was even thinking tbh.

Glad you have had help. We had to get one of ours checked a few times as they had odd rashes - no one in the hospital ever gave us a hard time for being wrong and it is better to check, expecially with very small children who can't say how they feel.

Don't ask strangers on internet ffs get MEDICAL advice

@nitsandwormsdodger

Don't ask strangers on internet ffs get MEDICAL advice

I had sought medical advice. I was asking on here in the interim when he was curled up on me and I was awaiting a callback from a doctor.

If you see any deterioration don’t hesitate to seek medical advice again - if out of hours go to a&e. Sometimes it can take time for symptoms to develop, so continuing to monitor is good.

Have you done a covid test?

Really similar to my children's covid symptoms, apart from the rash - but that is also a reported symptom.

@justkeepswimming0 how is he today?

So this morning I noticed this weird freckles on my 2yo.
Anyone know what this is?