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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:
squee123 · 07/10/2021 19:52

If it is a long queue I would consider asking someone to hold your place and going to speak to a security guard or similar to ask if they can let the relevant people know there is a child in the queue with suspected meningitis.

ThirdElephant · 07/10/2021 19:53

IME hospitals take a potential meningitis rash incredibly seriously. Everyone and his dog knows about it so even the most negligent doctor should pick up on it.

sausagerole · 07/10/2021 19:54

I'd go straight to the front of the queue with these symptoms, OP. Not to worry you but don't wait about

Ginfilledcats · 07/10/2021 19:56

I think they do a blood test or lumbar puncture (hopefully just the former) to confirm. There's 2 types of meningitis- viral and bacterial.

How's the little one with light? Any throwing up? Still neck?

Could it be HFM as that is massively doing the rounds at the moment!

Hope they..and you...are ok!

mamatoTails · 07/10/2021 19:58

So worrying for you, I hope he's ok and they see you quickly.

IamJuliaJohnson · 07/10/2021 19:59

I’d be very surprised if you have to wait in a queue with those symptoms. Do you mean a queue to get in or a queue for triage? You may need to be insistent if there is a big queue to get in.

How is he in himself? Is he playful? Does he respond when you talk to him? My 3yo had sepsis (not meningitis) and I couldn’t get him to respond to his name. He was super floppy.

ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS · 07/10/2021 20:00

Have you been triaged?

Make sure you tell them your worried about meningitis. Dose the rash fade when you put a glass on it? I was always taught to do this to check, that and if he can’t look at bright light.

The main thing I can say is stick with your instincts no matter what. If they do try fobbing you off or think there is more going on ask for someone else or take him to another hospital if you don’t feel right.

Hopefully it’s just a viral rash, one of my DDs always gets them when she’s has something viral. Good luck x

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 20:04

Could it be HFM as that is massively doing the rounds at the moment!

What's HFM?

OP posts:
Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 20:06

@IamJuliaJohnson

I’d be very surprised if you have to wait in a queue with those symptoms. Do you mean a queue to get in or a queue for triage? You may need to be insistent if there is a big queue to get in.

How is he in himself? Is he playful? Does he respond when you talk to him? My 3yo had sepsis (not meningitis) and I couldn’t get him to respond to his name. He was super floppy.

Queue to get in. I did jump it though by going to the front and telling receptionist I was worried my child might have meningitis. Just waiting to see the triage nurse.
OP posts:
talkalarm · 07/10/2021 20:06

@vanillas

Could it be HFM as that is massively doing the rounds at the moment!

What's HFM?

Hand, foot and Mouth
latte101 · 07/10/2021 20:06

@vanillas

Could it be HFM as that is massively doing the rounds at the moment!

What's HFM?

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-foot-mouth-disease/

Hand, foot & mouth. It's doing the rounds. Hope your DC is ok Thanks

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 20:07

I gave son ibuprofen before we left thinking he'd be going to bed so he's now feeling okay in himself and excited to be at hospital!

OP posts:
Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 20:08

He has the rash near his shoulder blade and near his hips. Doesn't disappear when pressed with glass. It's definitely not an eczema rash.

OP posts:
DebbieHarrysCheekbones · 07/10/2021 20:08

Hope he’s ok

Tirediam · 07/10/2021 20:08

My son is just getting over HFM.. it’s been horrendous

Quartz2208 · 07/10/2021 20:09

DS had this I argued with the front desk and the triage nurse (ask to see her straight away and dont take no for an answer)

She was fairly short with me and basically said she would look and decide - she did we were straight in a room, lots of doctors and IV put in and strong antibiotics given.

They treat first before any sort of diagnosis because 99% of them respond to the IV 24 hr antibiotics and the 1% are the things you really dont want.

DS had scarlet fever with it.

Dont be afraid though to push the point though they wont mind for things like this

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 20:12

No blisters on his skin so don't think it's HFM?

He's had:

High temperature but also complained about feeling cold and insisted on wearing three layers today (despite it being quite muggy where we are)

He said ‘My neck hurts’ (I thought it was because he’d not moved in his sleep so had been in the same position)

Has gone off his food and needs forcing to take sips of water (urine output has decreased significantly)

Has sat around looking tired and miserable (not like him at all- he's an active bunny)

And now a rash.

The only thing he doesn't have is sensitivity to lights.

OP posts:
Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 20:17

Okay so just been shouted at by triage nurse for asking her how long we have to wait to be seen!!! We'll be seen when we'll be seen I've been told. Feel like crying.

OP posts:
drpaddington · 07/10/2021 20:18

I hope you're seen soon and can find out what's going on.

Quartz2208 · 07/10/2021 20:19

have you said he has a non blanching rash and that should prompt being seen

TheVolturi · 07/10/2021 20:20

It does sound very worrying but I would think that if this started two days ago he'd be very seriously unwell by now if it were meningitis. But you are definitely in the right place. Good luck.

MrsSkylerWhite · 07/10/2021 20:20

Don’t waste time on here, very unlikely that a qualified person will read your post. Straight to A&E now.

User5827372728 · 07/10/2021 20:23

@MrsSkylerWhite

She’s at a&e awaiting triage

Panda8383 · 07/10/2021 20:24

children should be a priority, thinking of you and hope everything ok with your little man x

user64323 · 07/10/2021 20:24

My son had similar recently and it was Covid. The rash went down when his temp went, he had a sore neck and a really bad headache. Fingers crossed for you it isn't meningitis and you are triaged quickly.

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