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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:
MrsSkylerWhite · 07/10/2021 20:28

User5827372728

@MrsSkylerWhite

She’s at a&e awaiting triage“

Good.

Hope all turns out well.

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 20:29

@fitzbilly

They do blood tests.

I doubt they will fob you off.

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

Was your son okay afterwards? Did he suffer any long term effects? I'm so scared.
OP posts:
Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 20:30

@Panicmode1

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).

Did you suffer any long term effects? Horrible things are going through my mind right now.

OP posts:
MelKarnofskyCrane · 07/10/2021 20:32

I bet you’re scared OP.

I’m no doctor so I can’t give you any advice. But if he’s bright and alert I think that sounds pretty positive?

Shirleyphallus · 07/10/2021 20:32

Hope all is ok OP

LittleBear21 · 07/10/2021 20:37

I hope it's all ok OP

Anotherboy · 07/10/2021 20:39

I had meningitis as a child, without sensitivity to lights OR a rash. I was sent home in the evening, ended up back in hospital the next afternoon, very unwell. Not to scare you at all, but to say despite being in intensive care and hospital for 3 weeks, I recovered completely with no lasting effects at all. You are in the right place, it's encouraging he's picked up a bit after the ibuprofen I would say.

MrsAnneBlythe · 07/10/2021 20:42

My son had it at 14 weeks OP. They started treating with antibiotics straight away as the blood cultures take a couple of days. It was awful at the time but he has no long term effects. You're in the right place. Sending love - you must be so worried.

needtogetfit21 · 07/10/2021 20:43

Hope all is ok op. I would ask to see the nurse in charge

needtogetfit21 · 07/10/2021 20:44

My son had it at 8 weeks, like pp they put him on IV antibiotics straight away whilst waiting for the results. It was very scary but there was no lasting effects. A very happy 2.5yo now

Kittykat93 · 07/10/2021 20:53

I am Shocked that the nurse shouted at you? I would have thought suspected meningitis would be a reason to be seen pretty much straight away.

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 20:56

Was seen by nurse soon after posting last message and asked to wait to see a doctor. No doctor has turned up yet. Toddler is now hyperactive because he should've been in bed at 7pm. He's animated and talking like he normally would. Wants to get into the medical cupboards in the room we're in to see what lies within!

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 07/10/2021 20:59

Well that's a great sign. One of mine was admitted twice with meningitis scares, was on a drip etc. One time, the cold weather and change of scene perked him up and the nurse reassured me that she'd never had a child with meningitis walk down to their bed before so she was pretty sure he was ok.

whataballbag · 07/10/2021 21:01

Good sign that he’s playing etc children with meningitis are usually presenting very very poorly. The rash is usually one of the last symptoms to appear.

bedroomnc · 07/10/2021 21:03

You're in hospital now so o can say this, but he sounds absolutely fine.

If they were concerned they'd be acting immediately.

Zoflorananana · 07/10/2021 21:09

Hope all is ok OP

Antinerak · 07/10/2021 21:12

Lots of children have meningitis and have no serious long term effects. Try to stay distracted, don't do too much researching or googling. Ask for a second opinion if they fob you off-even if that means going to a different hospital.

It really is a good sign he's playing and happy, but make sure you leave with an answer and advice in case he gets poorly overnight.

Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 21:18

Just been seen by a doctor and been told son has a fungal infection hence the rash (she said the rash was now beginning to disappear under pressure) and the rest of his symptoms (aches and pains, fever) are likely to be from a viral infection. The fact that he's talking and bouncing off the walls makes her feel 100% reassured it's not meningitis. She's prescribed us an anti fungal ointment and said we're okay to go.

OP posts:
Original poster
vanillas · 07/10/2021 21:23

Son's rash doesn't look fungal to me but he's been fully checked (vital signs) and thankfully the doctor has no concerns. I'll be keeping a close eye on him overnight though.

OP posts:
hayley013 · 07/10/2021 21:25

My daughter had a meningococcal infection when she was 2, she had just two spots on her tummy that didnt blanch. But she had a temp for about 24 hours then all of a sudden couldn't stay awake, she was really limp and almost unconscious. Definitely knew she needed to be seen immediately

hayley013 · 07/10/2021 21:25

Glad you've been reassured and can go home x

Tonkerbea · 07/10/2021 21:32

You don't sound confident in the doctor's assessment OP? Do you think the rash isn't fading?

SheWoreYellow · 07/10/2021 21:42

Bouncing off walls sounds good though Smile

MargaretThursday · 07/10/2021 21:51

Ds used to get non fading rash so we'd be sent off to A&E quite frequently.
Never hesitate to go if you think it might be, however the doctors told me that by the time they get a rash they would be very ill.

Two reasons why I'm saying this:
Firstly, reassure the Op if they're running around they're unlikely to have meningitis, and secondly to tell others don't assume it can't be because there's no rash as it's one of the later signs. The doctors said they'd rather see 1000 children without a rash that it isn't meningitis to check than one with a rash whose parent has waited to see because they thought without the rash it isn't.

With ds it was always a viral rash.

IamJuliaJohnson · 07/10/2021 22:42

I agree with the above comment. If he’s able to perk up and run around (even if only with meds) it’s not likely to be meningitis. The rash is a later stage symptom of advanced sepsis, and so by that point children are usually very very unwell. When my child has sepsis (no rash) he was so so floppy, couldn’t bear to look at light, wouldn’t watch the telly, and had been vomiting and dry heaving for several hours. We saw a GP and went straight to hospital, and I carried him over my shoulder because he couldn’t stand up and was too floppy to hold me for a regular carry.

I have found the paediatric traffic light to be very helpful in the past www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng143/resources/support-for-education-and-learning-educational-resource-traffic-light-table-pdf-6960664333

That said, he did have a non blanching rash and so you were absolutely right to go to A&E. I hope he improves.