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?

Seems stupid to have it as a major symptom for meningitis but it's not always true

That god your mum was smart stealth

It is easier to put your finger and thumb on either side of the rash and pull the skin outwards. Or both thumbs. Once you are confident doing this I would say its a better test, but it is less 'standardised' than the glass test so may be interpreted differently. I would practice before the child is actually ill on moles, freckles and odd spots (!) so you get an idea of how it works.

We were always told it works on dark skins too, but much harder to see.

And as for the glass test being bullshit, well, no it isn't if a rash is present and you are worried. It can be very reassuring. In the case of meningitis/septicaemia it probably is as I've said ^^ the child would be seriously ill before it got to that point. Again I will repeat, look at the child not the rash. If anyone is ever worried get the child seen by a dr.

Thank god*

Thankyou all I appreciate your comments. Had a chat with primary care and they think she's ok, bring her in the morning if any changed or worse.

I hope she's much better in the morning :)
My mum left me to go Christmas shopping on the basis of me passing the glass test (which she felt awful about but I completely see why). A few hours later when she came back I was much worse and was in hospital an hour or so later. Luckily I had brilliant care and made a full recovery :o but I'm one of the very lucky ones.

As with prettypictures, I've had dd2 at hospital, having been diagnosed by GP with non-blanching rash, and huge amount of panic, only for it to turn out to be an allergic reaction (still not even sure to what). In fact the consultant took one look at rash and knew it was not meningitis- I'm not sure how but as some have said above the rash is different to 'normal' allergic or viral rashes, and child would be very, very ill in conjunction. It is better to be safe but if you have talked to Dr and they think it is not too serious, I would be reassured and not stress about the rash alone.

My DS had a rash that did not go away with the glass test.

It was just a viral rash, not meningitis! It was 'just' a viral rash. We went to hospital anyway and stayed in for a few days.

We were in the right place just in case.

Just reminding you all that child doesn't need a rash for meningitis, your instinct is the most important. DO NOT let doctors fob you off if you are worried (they did that to me and my baby died 24 hours later, no rash whatsoever!)

So sorry to hear that landrover x

Oh land rover that is awful.

The glass test is easy. If the rash goes its what's called " blanching" if not its fixed.

A fixed rash warrants review. 999 if child I'll too

A blanching rash and a well child us reassuring. A blanching rash and I'll child still needs review

This is not " testing for meningitis" the rash that people fear that it help look for is that far more rapidly fatal one of meningococcal septicaemia.

It is however possible to have a benching rash with serious infections / septicaemia so if you think your child warrants a&e take them.

So sorry land rover :(((

The rash think is a bit of a red herring tbh. If it's there then 999 but use your parental senses too. If you aren't happy say so

Thankyou all xx We went on to have another beautiful daughter who is now eleven. Still see lots of stories of parents sent home with their child told that "they have a virus"! We decided that thats what doctors tell you when they don't know what it is!

Agree with the above posts. If you are worried act immediately sod the embarrassment.
DS had pneumococcal meningitis no rash just ill at 8 months. He is now deafblind CP epilepsy, a ruined life.

So sorry 2old, pneumococcal meningitis is what my child died of at 14 months. As you say, no rash, bloody nightmare xxxx Still doctors are sending parents away saying "its just a virus". They don't seem to believe what parents tell them! All my love to you son. xxxxxx