Experiences with meningitis

[Bella0831]

Hello all,
currently writing this from paediatrics ward in hospital wondering if any mums can offer any advice / reassurance / share your experiences.
I was referred into A&E from 111 with a mild temp for my 3 week old. After a few tests a lumbar puncture came back positive for meningitis infection - every parents nightmare. I feel completely overwhelmed and riddled with guilt as he’s so small and tiny. We’re now waiting for further tests to determine whether it is viral or bacterial.
fortunately we caught it early so he’s been able to go onto antibiotics quickly and seems to be responding well - his fever has dropped and his regular observations are looking good - but I’m also finding it hard to stay positive - particularly coupled with the fact I’m sleeping on a plastic hospital chair and up all hours with a newborn regardless of being in hospital or not.
I wondered if any mums have gone through similar that could share your experiences to help me get through.

thanks in advance xx

Hello, my niece went through this at 10days old. The hospital gave her antibiotics through a cannula from the beginning whilst they waited to find out whether it was viral or bacterial. It was viral. She was absolutely fine. The doctos took really good care of her.
I'm sorry you are going through this. You really have nothing to feel guilty about, it's not your fault. Just look after yourself so you can be the best mumma you can.
Your little one I'm sure will be absolutely fine as they are taking antibiotics and the fever has come down....all steps in the right direction. They are in the best place for them.
I hope someone is looking after you.
Big hug.

Thank you so much - this was just the message I needed. ❤️

Sending love and positive vibes to you. Sorry about the plastic chair
Please don't feel guilty. Save your energy to look after yourself and your lovely baby,
You are in the best place x

My child wasn't much older. He was 20 months perfectly fine in the morning and by 11:00 p.m. was in the pediatric intensive care unit. He spent 5 days in the unit with IV antibiotics. He had a complete recovery because of the quick action of his medical team.
I will tell you I've also seen this on a medical professional level. I have had several patients with meningitis as newborns. I was a head nurse of a newborn intensive care unit for over 12 years, with a total of 18 years as a staffer.

Please know you acted quickly, you got medical care for your child, the appropriate medical care. I know you are exhausted. But please call on relatives or friends to bring you meals or just come sit with you. Ask the nurses if they have another chair for you to relax in.

Sorry to hear about your son.
We had the same thing with our son as a newborn. It was scary and traumatic but he is fine now.
Fingers crossed for a quick recovery for your little one.

So sorry to hear this, OP.

Were you ever tested for Group B Strep (GBS) in pregnancy? My DD1 had sepsis at 24hrs old from GBS, but it can also cause meningitis. You can ask your DS's doctor if the tests indicate if it was caused by GBS. If so, there is a brilliant charity - www.gbss.org.uk who have lots of information and a helpline that you can use.

Its such a scary time - DD was in NICU then SCBU for 10days, but she was so well cared for and is now a bouncing, thriving 3yr old. Your DS is absolutely in the right place and hopefully the antibiotics will be making a big difference soon.

Do you have people to support in real life? So you grab a shower / few hours sleep at home etc?

we had a 5 day stay in high dependency unit with our little boy when he was 8 months, still to this day don’t know what was actually wrong, they mentioned pneumonia but also said it wasn’t bad enough for him to be so poorly, he was on oxygen, we were in the isolation box on the ward as they didn’t know what was wrong- they started antibiotics and fluid through cannula a few hours before the lumbar and he started to improve so thankfully didn’t need it, scariest time of my life, i was sent home from the doctors the day before he was rushed to hospital in ambulance- told he just had a cold, so glad i followed my instincts and took him back the next morning he may not be here with us now, its so hard seeing your baby so poorly, i really feel for you, hope he gets better soon, hang in there! Stay strong, you’re doing great xx

Thanks everyone for your lovely messages they really helped. We’ve been sent home this evening - the tests showed no signs of bacteria growing so at this stage they think it’s viral. We’ve now moved to a course of antibiotics once per day that we return to hospital for. I feel slightly anxious and nervous no longer being in hospital - in case for some reason things take a turn for the worst - but also relieved to be home (especially as I have a 2yo at home I hadn’t seen for several days). Thanks so much for the support, I’m hoping we’re on the road to recovery from here. Xx

@Bella0831

Glad to hear this!

They won't take a turn for the worst, onwards and upwards! Hospital are always there if you need anything but I'm sure you won't

Take care of yourself!