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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Worried my 1yo has meningitis

50 replies

ticcsmum · 17/08/2024 19:50

Hi everyone

I'll start by saying that I have suffered anxiety since I was a teen.

I have a 15 month old daughter. Yesterday, woke up with a rash on her chest, stomach, back and behind her ears. Very upset, not her usual happy self. Clingy and seemed tired.

I put a message through to GP and they asked me to bring her in, 2 GP's looked at the rash and sent me straight to our local paediatric unit. 4 doctors and 2 consultants all came to see her and couldn't work out what it was but said that they would take some blood. They put numbing cream on her hands and insides of her arms ready for bloods to be taken.

Then a senior consultant popped his head around the curtain, took one look at her asleep in her pram (just in a nappy because she was warm) and said "yep it's chicken pox, calpol, cool baths, calamine lotion and piriton. Keep her isolated for 5-7 days, good luck". He didn't examine her at all.

They gave us a 48 hour pass so we could bring her back any time if we had any further concerns.

The spots aren't filling with pus, she's not itchy, shes very tired, had 2 x 2 hour naps today (usually just has one) and went to bed at half 6 (normally half 7). She randomly just keeps bursting into tears or screaming, she's having plenty of wet nappies etc. but I'm just worried it's something more sinister. Can somebody please talk me down 🤦🏻‍♀️ I'm sat here wondering if I should take her back but I don't want to look like a paranoid Mum.

Thanks!

OP posts:

Summertimesadnessie · 17/08/2024 19:54

Does the rash Blanche? Does she have a temperature? I got told on my baby first aid that the meningitis rash is actually sepsis from the meningitis and that’s one of the last signs.

personally If there’s any doubt about anything life threatening I’d take her back

Username19832756 · 17/08/2024 19:56

Hi love - mum here who's little one had meningitis and sepsis at 7 months old. Deep breaths - that doesn't look like a meningitis rash. Have you run a glass over the spots to see if they disappear? If they do, then it's definitely not meningitis. How is your wee one's temp? When my LO had it they were essentially comatose - pale and floppy, unresponsive, unreactive to have cannulas inserted etc, and temperature was 40+. It's unhelpful I know when people say trust your instincts as you worry your instincts are wrong, but you've done the right thing and had her checked and it's reassuring you've been sent home - they have such a thin threshold for meningitis and babies, so it's a good sign she hasn't been kept in. Keep a close eye for any changes (of course you'll do this anyway!) and I really hope she feels better soon xx

SleepyRich · 17/08/2024 19:56

Just use the pass and go back for a check, they gave it to you for a reason.

There's absolutely no point in calling 111, you'll either be fortunate and get through to a clinician who'll tell you to use the pass and go and get checked - but you'll spend 30mins to 4 hours waiting for that callback. Or they'll tell you they're sending an ambulance and insist you wait at home for them. So then you wait 30mins-6 hours for the ambulance depending on where you live - they have to take you via A&E so now you have to wait their for an age until they send you through to the acute medical unit which you can just go to right now and save several hours of time.

Seeingadistance · 17/08/2024 19:58

Take her back and don't feel bad or paranoid about it.

My DS is now an adult, but when he was a baby our GP said to me that he would far rather see a baby which was well, than have a parent sitting at home worrying.

Beginningless · 17/08/2024 20:00

I find clinicians are always happy to reassure a worried mum of a very young child - the rash is there and it’s not developing like CP like you say, so your worry is understandable and not paranoia. Hopefully it’s reassuring though to hear from kind pp with experience that it doesn’t look like meningitis. I agree just go back if you feel she needs checked.

MandyMiceDavies · 17/08/2024 20:01

I’d take her back in. Don’t bother with 111, they will just say take her in if you are worried.

MeThinksTime · 17/08/2024 20:02

Take her back. Don't wait.

RedBulb · 17/08/2024 20:04

Take her in if you are worried, you have the green light from the hospital with that 48h pass, I hope all is ok, it’s horrible when little ones are ill and you don’t really know what it is.

SouthLondonMum22 · 17/08/2024 20:04

If you are still concerned, take her back. It doesn’t look like a sepsis rash to me.

whydoesitalwayshappentome · 17/08/2024 20:05

My daughter had meningitis, and the rash wasn't like that one. Definitely try pressing a glass against it, but as you have hospital access go back to them so they can reassure you.

LetLooseTheDogs · 17/08/2024 20:06

Take her in, you are worried and no-one will judge you as paranoid. Better to get her checked out.

Violetmouse · 17/08/2024 20:14

No one here can see or assess your daughter. Why don’t you give the ward a call and see what they say? No harm in asking them. Hope all is well.

Pandasnacks · 17/08/2024 20:17

It's hard to saw what the rash looks like, but your her mum and it's ok to trust your instincts. They gave you that pass and they'd much rather see her again and tell you it's chicken pox still than have you not take her and it be serious. Extra sleeping etc is all totally normal with chicken pox and any illness really, but I'd just take her back and check.

Loubelle70 · 17/08/2024 20:27

My DD had mengicococcal septiceamia...drs told me just bug...so i took her hospital as she was vomiting, had rash (test with glass), temp, etc..i insisted they see her eben though they were dismissive like I was paranoid..blood test done..was meningitis and she was put in I.C.U! ... Very lucky she is still with us..she also nearly lost her leg. Trust your instincts and dont always trust a drs diagnosis. Mum instincts. Take her hospital and say you think its meningitis... do glass test first

Loubelle70 · 17/08/2024 20:30

Oh and any nonsense from them...ask for 2nd opinion its your right

thebigchorus · 17/08/2024 20:40

From the pictures I don't think it looks like meningitis.

BUT if you are at all worried that take her back. Drs would rather see children they don't need to see than not see children they do need to. They won't mind and will hopefully offer reassurance.

Maybe have a google of chicken pox photos? It can present quite differently in different people

autienotnaughty · 17/08/2024 20:41

It doesn't look like chicken pox from the photos (in my unprofessional opinion) but it doesn't look like meningitis either.

I'd want a second examination. I'd go back.

Heyheyitsanotherday · 17/08/2024 20:47

Promise you if they even suspect meningitis they don’t send you home (mum of a little one who they queried it with and poor wee lamb had a lumber puncture- she had sepsis but not from meningitis, fortunately fine now). I agree it’s probably the start of the pox. Will blister in a day or so. Maybe just has it mildly. But if she’s drowsy, had an uncontrollable temp, is really upset and no consoling, take her back in. In my experience the drs are kind and understanding and would rather see a hundred kids who are ok than one child really sick. Hugs to you

WhatMe123 · 17/08/2024 20:50

Chicken pox does take a couple of days to have fluid filled blisters, does look like the start of chicken pox to me but you know your own daughter if worried go back op hope she's better soon

longdistanceclaraclara · 17/08/2024 20:56

Does it Blanche?

It doesn't look like a meningitis rash to me but I am not a medic. If you are at all concerned take her back. Rather look like a worried mum than have a very ill child on your hands.

Bedtime91 · 17/08/2024 21:00

100% take her back if you're worried - but as someone who's just had three weeks of back to back chicken pox (three year old DD then 9mo DD) this is what the spots looked like before they filled with fluid. Lots on torso and back and around back of neck and behind the ears. They don't become itchy until the fluid appears, but they can feel unwell before that.

Hope your little one is ok whatever it is x

Duckinglunacy · 17/08/2024 21:12

One of mine had sepsis aged 3, but not from meningitis. The other had a suspicious rash that turned out to be innocent though he was unwell at the time. His rash (which did alarm hospital staff) looked like tiny little bruises and was sort of below the surface of the skin.

the child with sepsis was so incredibly unwell. He had an infection elsewhere but he was vomiting and dry retching. Could barely open his eyes, could not stand looking at the tv and was just laid whimpering. He had a stonking fever and rigors, and was just so so poorly. I knew that he was gravely unwell, and I’ve not seen anything like that before or since.

That said, if you’re genuinely worried you do need to be in contact with the ward, any other route is just a waste of NHS time and resources as you already have access. Give them a call, talk it through, ask them to check her over.

max29 · 17/08/2024 21:13

I feel for you. Many of us have been in a similar position. If you are worried take her back. That's always the best thing to do, I know it's the weekend and busy but if you feel concerned put your mind at rest. Best of luck x

MargaretThursday · 17/08/2024 21:15

Do take her back in. if you have any worries about meningitis, don't post, get her into A&E; it can be time critical.

But honestly, if she had meningitis by now she'd almost certainly be floppy and with no energy to scream. I know it sounds scary, but if she has energy to scream then she's unlikely to be seriously ill.

Newuser75 · 17/08/2024 21:16

I'd also say if you are worried take her back in. I'm not qualified to say if it looks like chickenpox or meningitis but I'd certainly take her back even if just to put your mind at rest.

Just on a positive note. I'd imagine if it was meningitis she would be feeling much worse by now but again I'm not a doctor.

Good luck! I know it's a worrying time when they are unwell x

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