Worried my 1yo has meningitis

[ticcsmum]

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!

Just to add on so you don't panic by my previous post...yes take her A&E If worried ... But chicken pox can start around bk of the ears. Do the press glass test on rash.

Do the glass test and take her in for second opinion

My kids did look similar at the start of chicken pox but 99% of us here aren't medics so you are better getting further advice if it sorted your worries

My lo was about 10m with cp, she never itched and I don't remember any pus in the spots. It looked like your photo of their tummy.

It’s quite normal for chickenpox to look like that for the first couple of days before the blisters come out and the itching starts.

If you are really worried then by all means take her back in though, they will understand.

The rash is the last thing to develop in meningitis. She would be very very unwell before the rash even started if it was meningitis, they definitely would’ve kept her in hospital if they were concerned that the rash could be meningitis.

Thank you everyone so much.

I'm sorry to hear of some of your terrifying experiences with sepsis and meningitis. DD ever being seriously unwell is my worst fear.

I suffered infertility and a lot of losses for a number of years before being blessed with her and my anxiety has heightened since she was born and getting all of the normal childhood illnesses, she's had a few colds, RSV etc doesn't help as I automatically go to worse case scenario and I know I need to go back to my dr to address my anxiety.

I had a chat with DH, I went into her bedroom and took her temperature which is normal, she's fast asleep and seems really peaceful and comfortable so I'm not going to disturb her, she obviously needs the rest.

I have to remind myself that as an adult, when I'm unwell, before I had her I would also sleep more than usual and be off my food etc. so I'm going to stay rational on this one and trust the consultant.

Obviously if anything gets worse or serious, I'll take her back up but you've all really helped.

Thanks again x

Sorry forgot to say that the 2 GPs who sent me to hospital with her did so as the rash didn't disappear when pressed against which would also make sense for chicken pox I guess?

It could be hand foot and mouth disease, my DS had it a few months ago and his spots looked very similar and also not itchy, he also had a slight fever for a couple of days and was bursting into tears for no reason. Doctor said it doesn't necessarily develop on hands/feet/mouth, he did eventually get it in his mouth and on his hands but it appeared on his stomach, legs and neck first.

Its not septiceamia then OP if rash went with glass test. If she hasnt temp its not meningitis. These 2 things, im positive it isn't meningitis. She would definitely have temp with that rash if it was. You can breathe a little now.
I understand...i adore my DD too...we are so protective more so and arent we?. Probably onset of chicken pox ..calpol hun , cool baths, fluids, etc. ♥️ sent.

That doesn't look like a meningitis rash. It does look like the start of chicken pox. It can take a few days to turn into blisters. Keep an eye and give plenty of fluids. If she gets worse take her back.

It does look like CP, and it’s really normal, if stressful, for them to be off their food. If her temp has gone down that’s a good sign, though at that age I would probably sleep in the same room for comfort.

But always take her back in if you’re not happy with anything at all.

The rash didn't disappear under glass test?

HSP. Henoch -Schonlein purpura
Inflammation of the small blood vessels.

No if didn't x

OP you really shouldn’t be listening to pp who think they can diagnose your daughter over the internet, and pp shouldn’t be offering their “diagnoses”.

Sometimes, I would agree with you, but in this case it's quite straightforward. Several clinicians have looked over the child, plus we know what meningitis does to the blood vessels - it makes them more leaky and therefore you get blood under the skin where it wouldn't normally be. It looks very different to the appearance of the rash in the OP's child.

If it is viral then lysine and oregano oil is helpful. I had a similar rash on my arm recently and felt ill. Those two things helped. Overnight the rash was gone.

Possibly Rubella ( German Measles). I agree that it is not right for us to be trying to guess here and maybe bring them back if you are at all worried. Hope they feel better very soon

Better to be safe than sorry take her in if needed x

I wouldn't say some people are offering a diagnosis, maybe offering advice to go back to the hospital and ask do you think it could be this ?

No it’s not a meningococcal rash. It does look like the start of chicken pox. CP can be nasty though so if you’re not happy with her breathing or think she’s more unwell then take her back. Regular calpol and virasoothe for spots when they become pus filled and itchy.

@Username19832756 hello, what a lovely reasurring kind post

Yes meningitis rash is under the skin not raised ...like little spots/bruises under the skin..if the spots are raised and on the skin its not meningococcal septacaemia . However, i hope little one is ok OP

My dd had a similar, non-blanching rash at that age. Took her to hospital. Nurse triage her, said not meningitis but had no idea what it was. Waited four hours to be told the same by a doctor. I think by that time it was blanching (though it honestly wasn't when we tried earlier).

What they did say with regard to the meningitis rash was that it looks bad. The rash she had hadn't even when non-blanching.

Hope your dd is better today.

Thank you again everyone.

She slept 14 hours last night, no fever today, spots are fading so I don't think it's chicken pox.

Hopefully she's on the mend now, thinking it could have just been a viral rash.