I vaccinated my one-year-old son against meningitis but he died just a day after getting sick
Chantel Kingswood was in awe as she watched son Reggie toddle for the first time - not knowing days later he would be dead
A HEARTBROKEN mum has told how her 14-month-old son died of meningitis two days after falling sick - despite being vaccinated against it.
Chantel Kingswood, 39, from Brighton, East Sussex, and her partner Adam, 34, watched in awe as little Reggie toddled across the floor for the first time.
But just two days later Reggie fell ill with bacterial meningitis and died. He was resuscitated four times - and on the last attempt sadly couldn't be saved.
Meningitis is an affection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can affect anyone, nut is more common babies and young children.
Vaccinations offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis, but it's estimated up to one in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal.
The recommends that babies have their first vaccination against meningitis B at 8 weeks old, followed by a second dose at 16 weeks and then a booster at 1 year.
Symptoms of meningitis
Meningitis can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
If it is not treated quickly, meningitis can cause life-threatening septicaemia (blood poisoning) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
The symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and include:
- A high fever over 37.5 degrees - the average human temperature
- being sick
- a headache
- a blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it
- stiffness, especially in the neck
- sensitivity to bright lights
- drowsiness, irritability or lack of energy
- cold hands and feet
- seizures
More than a third of parents do not know the early symptoms of the killer disease.
Research has found 38 per cent of mums and dads wrongly thought a rash is the first sign of the killer infection, when actually the spots only appear when the child is already very ill.
Symptoms of meningitis include a rash, an aching neck and fever. Read more about the deadly illness here.
Mum Rikki Taylor wants parents to know just how quickly the deadly illness can take hold.