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Original poster

Is this meningitis in toddler?

90 replies

vanillas · 07/10/2021 19:21

Toddler developed a high temperature on Tuesday and woke up at night complaining about a neck ache. I thought it might be due to him staying in one place while asleep and his neck feeling stiff because of that. I gave him paracetamol, cooled him down and managed to put him back down again. Yesterday, he spent the day sitting in once place and telling me he was tired (but wouldn't nap). I gave him paracetamol/ibuprofen and managed to convince him to eat something small and take small sips of water. He had another rough night and today refused to walk a short distance to collect his sister from nursery. I've just got him changed for bed and noticed he's got a rash on his trunk that won't disappear. Is this meningitis? I got him to look directly at the spotlights in our kitchen and he was able to. About to take him to A&E but need to go in armed with info in case they fob me off and tell me he's fine and it's 'just a virus which'll go away soon'.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 07/10/2021 19:22

None of us can tell you more than A and E can.

Annoyedandirritated · 07/10/2021 19:22

Definitely take him to hospital ASAP, very worrying if the rash isn’t going

MelKarnofskyCrane · 07/10/2021 19:22

I mean we can’t answer that for you.

Point out the meningitisy symptoms and tell them that that is what you are worried about. Plant the notion.

DigOlBick · 07/10/2021 19:22

If you think that he has meningitis then get him seen ASAP

Helbelle75 · 07/10/2021 19:24

Does the rash fade when you press a glass on it? If it doesn't fade, he needs seeing and treating asap. 9
It's hard to say if it's meningitis, but definitely get him checked out, and mention your concerns.

User5827372728 · 07/10/2021 19:27

Temp, non blanching rash, stiff neck and fatigue are all signs of meningitis so please go to a&e ASAP.

Thinking of you and your son

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 19:28

Rash isn't disappearing. Rash looks like dark red pinpricks/tiny maroon blotches. Just got to A&E.

OP posts:
Panicmode1 · 07/10/2021 19:29

None of us can tell you. Go to A&E and get properly checked out (I had it as a toddler so speed is of the essence).

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 19:29

His eczema has flared up as a result of him being unwell so I hope they don't fob me off with that as an excuse.

OP posts:
SheWoreYellow · 07/10/2021 19:30

That’s the right thing to do. Other viruses give that rash too, but you need to get it checked out. Smile

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 19:30

What are the tests to confirm/rule out meningitis?

OP posts:
MelKarnofskyCrane · 07/10/2021 19:30

They won’t if you make a song and dance about meningitis.

No one wants to be the doctor that sent home a child with meningitis. They will take it seriously.

Kittykat93 · 07/10/2021 19:30

You don't really need to be armed with info- just tell the doctors exactly what you've said here. I hope he's okay

fitzbilly · 07/10/2021 19:32

They do blood tests.

I doubt they will fob you off.

When my ds had meningitis a&e doctors were amazing.

SheWoreYellow · 07/10/2021 19:32

Remember to mention the neck ache.

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 19:33

Sorry if I'm being cynical but our local hospital is terrible and there have been several stories in the press where doctors have misread patients symptoms and sent them home only for those patients to then get very poorly afterwards. I feel like I need to sound like what I'm talking about so they don't dismiss my concerns.

OP posts:
MelKarnofskyCrane · 07/10/2021 19:33

Is there an alternative?

fretnot · 07/10/2021 19:33

My son had these symptoms when he was a toddler and they started the IV antibiotics while waiting for tests to come back, “just in case” was the protocol. They should take it very seriously.

squee123 · 07/10/2021 19:38

When we were concerned about possible sepsis we mentioned it on reception and then to the triage nurse and were in front of a doctor within 15 minutes despite A&E being rammed. Hopefully you get the same swift attention. Just keep mentioning it to everyone.

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 19:41

At the back of a very long queue waiting to check ourselves in. I'm so scared.

OP posts:
pompomsgalore · 07/10/2021 19:42

@vanillas

At the back of a very long queue waiting to check ourselves in. I'm so scared.
Once checked in I bet you'll be whizzed to the front of the queue. Stay calm you are in the right place
User5827372728 · 07/10/2021 19:45

Maybe see if you can skip the queue

Cherrydown · 07/10/2021 19:47

I took ds in with a non blanching rash when he was 1, they took it very seriously and admitted us, the blood test took a few days to come back so he had intravenous antibiotics as a precaution until then. Thankfully it was negative in the end.

Sprostongreen21 · 07/10/2021 19:48

Doctors don’t take non blanching rashes lightly. They won’t fob you off if you mention that never mind the other symptoms. They will run tests.

MiniMaxi · 07/10/2021 19:50

OP that sounds very much like it could be meningitis or sepsis. Don’t let them fob you off. See if you can queue jump and specifically say “I think my son has meningitis”

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