Viral meningitis in a 4 week old

[tinytumble]

My 4 week old has viral meningitis (at least they are 80% sure viral not bacterial). No symptoms until today when he felt warm & we checked his temp - was 38.4. Thought wed have a check up and possibly some iv antibiotics just in case, i never expected this in a million years. Doctors seem positive and optimistic but I'm simultaneously numb and terrified.

Not really here to go on about how I feel, I just desperately wanted stories of reassurance from anyone else who's been in a similar situation. I'm too scared to google the long-term consequences or outcomes. I'd be so grateful for any help.

Thanks

Viral is usually better outcome than bacterial. The fact he is at the hospital and getting treatment is a good thing and you did the right thing to get him checked out. It all seems pretty scary when you are going through it but there is a good chance for him to be fine longer term. Make time to look after yourselves whole he is in, accept support from friends and relatives and realise it is normal to worry. I would suggest contacting the meningitis research foundation now or later on. They have people who can talk to you and hand hold through this and if you want can put you in touch with families who have been through this before you for some support.
We haven't done viral meningitis but dd3 had septicaemia a couple of years ago and we had support from the meningitis foundation.

Sending and love. We didn't have an identical situation but DS2 was had a week in hospital with an infection at 3wo, on intravenous IVs and I stayed. Some lovely MNers held my hand while he had his lumbar puncture and I remain grateful. He's now 12wo and doing well but that period was terrifying and draining.

The hospital staff were lovely and happy I stayed and did all the babycare while they concentrated on monitoring and administering drugs. The hardest parts for me were when he was on a drip for fluids so I couldn't feed him, even though he was hungry, and as he got better when the tiredness caught up with me and as we needed less attention the nurses stopped making me tea :). It was only the day before he came home I realised I could have left the hospital/tag teamed with DH or my mum to get some actual rest: I was in the baby bubble and there was no where I'd rather have been, but I really should have taken some time earlier to get some proper sleep.

We never found what the infection was but the ABs did their job. I think there are decision points about treatment at 2 days and 5 days: prepare yourself for a stay, get lots of books/kindle, music and nappies. Wishing you love and a good outcome.

Viral meningitis is not the very scary meningitis that most of the advertising you see is about. (Advertising not right word but yswim)

He is in the best place, look after yourself and get as much rest as you can.

Little ones go downhill quickly as you can see but they will also amaze you by suddenly getting much much better very quickly.

My friend's DS had this at 6w and it was horrible. Whilst we all knew it was the better meningitis to get, it was obviously very scary & exhausting for her. Make sure you eat & sleep. She got one of those fisher price rotating mobiles & attached it to his crib which helped distract him. A 4wo may not be able to focus on that yet.
For the few weeks after he came home, he seemed to pick up every bug imaginable & always looked a bit pale & pasty. A year down the line, he's a smiling bruiser of a chat who is on the early side with all of his developmental targets.

Thank you for all these reassuring and supportive comments, I'm very grateful. My parents are on their way to help and I'm trying to rest when I can. It sounds as if many parents have been where we are now and come out the other side; I'm just struggling a bit to cope with a sense of disconnection and disbelief. One minute I was saying DS2 felt warm, and within half an hour he was having a lumbar puncture. I feel as if I'm about 5 hours behind and not able to catch up with reality. And don't get me started on the guilt.

Most importantly though his temp has come down to 36.8 from 38.8 a few hrs ago with no further paracetamol, and hes continuing to feed, so I am hoping that's a good sign.

Thank you again, you really are an amazing source of support on MN.

So sorry you're going through this, you must be simply terrified. I was in a similar situation, DS was 3 days old when he started having seziures. 5 days in hospital and a battery of tests (including a lumbar puncture) proved inconclusive, and he's now a happy and healty 7 YO. I will keep you and you're LO in my thoughts tonight