To suddenly feel anxious that my baby could have meninjitus

[CountryMummy1]

I have a 2 year old DD and a 10 month old DS. We have all had constant colds and bugs over the last 2 weeks and DS has started teething.

I had terrible anxiety after I had DD - checking she was breathing 10 times a night, constant trips to the doctors etc. I felt that because we had infertily and many losses we had somehow cheated nature and she would be taken away from me.

I managed to work through it and have been much better with DS. However, I've just got him up as he was distraught ( he usually sleeps 12 hours) and his temp is 38.1. He has had ibroprofen and is now looking a little brighter but still with a temp.

However, his feet are freezing. This led me to google and I found it was a symptom of meningitus. All my old anxiety came flooding back and I am a sobbing mess.

It's made worse by the fact that I am supposed to be leaving him tomorrow for the first time with my mum overnight (trust her completely) while I take my DD to Peppa Pig World. I feel I need to cancel.

He doesn't seem to have a rash but has generally blotchy skin anyway.

Would I know if it was something serious???

Sorry about spelling error in title - autocorrect went barmy!!!

Actually, sorry for general crapness of spelling etc. I'm all wound up

Does he have a rash? You have a rash with meningitis.

Ring nhs direct, they have been very helpful when I have rung in the past. I don't think you can be too careful with little ones.

"Would I know if it was something serious???"

Honestly? Probably.

I'm not a medical professional and if you are seriously concerned about meningitis then call 999, but as a fellow mum, what you are describing sounds like a teething baby with a cold.

You certainly don't need to cancel now. Keep an eye on your little boy as you are worried and make a decision nearer to the time. If you're not confident leaving him overnight, maybe you could get back a bit earlier and stay at your mum's?

A rash is one of the last signs of meningitis, so no rash does not necessarily mean no meningitis.

The best thing to do would be call NHS direct. Meningitis is unlikely but it is best to get these things checked out by a healthcare professional.

If you are worried then ring NHS Direct or whatever they call themselves now on 111.

I did when I panicked about meningitis & ended up sobbing down the phone at the poor woman who answered :)

Don't cancel Peppa.

You do not always have a rash with meningitis ( please don't think I'm trying to scare you, I'm not, just making it clear! Nothing to do with your DS :) )

Stop googling and I second NHS direct...they're v helpful

Anxiety is a bitch xxx

38.1 is only a very slight temperature and cold feet must be a very minor symptom of meningitis as I've never heard of it before. I'd check the major symptoms - sensitivity to light, rash that doesn't fade when pressed under a glass, stiff neck - and phone NHS direct if you're still worried.

I was like this when ds had a viral infection. I used to work as a doctor so although the chances it was meningitis was very small, I kept catastrophising and imagining the worst. Going to the GP as an emergency really reassured me.

A rash is a late stage sign. If you feel that your child is unwell and you are concerned, call 111.

A temperature does often cause the hands and feet to go cool to touch.

What is his fontanelle like? Is it swollen or sunken, or just right? Is he drinking? Is he passing urine well?

When I did paeds the consultant used to see if he could get the babies head down so they could touch their chest with their chin. Consultant said this was very important in babies with ? meningitis

The best way to alleviate these fears is to speak to a health care professional. Ring NHS Direct, it's why they are there.

A rash is often a late sign (sorry you probably don't want to hear that).

A temp of 38.1 isn't too much of a concern as long as he's acting himself.

Things to look for in children are
Fever
Headache or dislike of bright lights
Neck stiffness
Piercing pitiful cry, inconsolable
Not feeding (at all)
Very sleepy and unrousable - this is contentious as no one likes to wake a sleeping baby but a fail safe is to pinch the earlobe or nail bed, hard.
(It's hard but I have to do it at work)
It's probably not meningitis, perhaps book yourself onto a pead first aid course for peace of mind in the future?

If he has a fever, just pop over to A&E. At the very least they can dispel any worries and reassure you it's just a cold. We took DD who was only a few weeks old to the hospital over a temp, it was just a cold, but I'm glad we did because it put our mind at ease that it wasn't serious and we were given instructions on how to care for her.

Thank you everyone, his temp is down to 37.9. Will keep an eye on him a bit longer then see about phoning NHS direct

Some good advice here. If you are concerned then seek medical advice.

You can get help re your anxiety. Maybe speak to your gp who can refer you four counselling/offer medication

He is drinking small amounts of milk but not guzzling his 7oz bottle like normal

It is understandable to feel worried when your babies are ill.

It is a good sign that his fever has dropped down with ibuprofen. If he seems to have perked up that is also a good sign.

My three often get cold extremities with a fever. Light clothing and covers and trying to get other fluids in will help (water, juice or milk) reduce fever. Dehydration can make it more difficult for the body to regulate it's temperature.

You can alternate paracetamol with ibuprofen if he seems distressed and uncomfortable before the next brufen dose is due, but it can take an hour for brufen or paracetamol to work so give the medication a chance to work.

When my daughter was 3 months she refused to feed. Wasnt acting normally but not massively abnormally either and had a strange cry. And cold hands. My friends who had heaps of kids and who had seen her miserable the day before reassured me that it was teething. I couldn't get through in the morning to the doc (thank god) so took her to a and e feeling stupid for worrying. She had septicaemia. After a horrid few days in sbcu we were sent home and have recovered although it took some time. What I learnt from that is listen to yourself. And always aeek advice when they are so young. Never feelebaerassed to use a system that thousands of Drunks think nothing about. They are too precious, they can't tell you and sometimes it's really hard to judge. I am so so thankful I sought medical advice when I did and have NevEr ever been embarrassed to belabelled over anxious ever since. And by the way am sure you are just worrying for no reason but that's your job !

Do the glass test.

Glampinggaloshes
You're right -instinct is invaluable . So glad your story has a happy ending .
Op, there's tonnes going round . The fear and anxiety when little ones are ill is scarey . We all get our moments of stress- the what if niggle .
I hope you both got a good nights sleep.