Meningitis - 8 week old

[thinkstar]

I don’t know what I am looking for - some reality and some positive stories because I am so numb.

My beautiful 8 week old baby has been ill for a few weeks with what I thought was just cold symptoms (snotty, congested, cough) caught from his sibling who is at nursery and always has a cold. I have taken him to GP and she said it was just a cold. On Weds had a fever of 38.4 so I called 111, took him to A&E, I know my partner just thought I was being dramatic but I just knew.

Fast forward to now and a lumbar puncture has confirmed high white blood cells (over 100) so they are saying it’s either viral or bacterial meningitis. The docs are almost certain it’s viral they are waiting for one more test to confirm no bacteria in spinal fluid, and this could take at least another day.

I know the fact it’s likely viral is more positive however I feel numb, like it’s hitting me slowly. He’s been poorly and I thought it was just a cold from his little sister who is at nursery, I feel so guilty. He seems generally okay apart from the cold symptoms, and the fever was the only symptom, so it so hard to fathom what is going on inside and how serious it is.

I can’t bear the thought of further complications when he is growing up he is too perfect and innocent for this to be happening. I don’t know how to reconcile the worry and will worry forever, even if the chances are slim.

Please share stories if you have one (which I hope you don’t) xx

Hi OP so sorry to hear your wee one is unwell. I have no first hand experience but in my job every baby that has been diagnosed with viral and meningitis is referred for followup for at least 9 months post infection. For the vast vast majority, by the time their 9 month follow up has come around they have already been discharged from paediatrics and any other disciplines they've been referred into with a clean bill of health. Wishing your LO a very speedy recovery 🙏 ❤️

And well done for going with your gut xx

Hug, have been there at 7 weeks, bacterial meningitis and a really bad time of it... Now prepping for exams and in line for school awards.. had quite a few years of follow ups, but all good in the end. The brain is amazing at rewiring at that age. It sounds like he is in the right place with the right care. It's hard as a parent but chances are everything will be fine.
Try to avoid the guilt trap, you did brilliantly and likely the early stages were just a cold.

I'm sorry your little one is unwell, it must be really scary. I work in microbiology and handle cell counts day in day out, viral meningitis is the 'best' type of meningitis to get, as in, the huge majority of people affected make a complete recovery, I very much hope you child is one of them.

Don't be afraid to ask questions and be gentle with yourself, I hope they are better soon, xxx

Sorry to hear what you’re going through.
my baby had viral meningitis at 4 weeks old. I was terrified but he recovered and is doing really well… me however the trauma was alot x