Staggering 1 in 3 parents DON’T know the early symptoms of meningitis – so here we reveal them all
MORE than a third of parents do not know the early symptoms of deadly meningitis.
Researchers found 38 per cent of mums and dads wrongly thought a rash is the first sign of the killer infection.
In most sick kids the red spots only appear once they are already very ill.
And some get no rash at all, experts warned.
Now parents are being urged to look out for other signs of illness – such as cold hands and feet, vomiting or muscle pain.
Around 3,200 people a year get bacterial meningitis. One in 10 die and many more are left with life-changing disabilities.
Young children are most at risk but teenagers and adults can be affected too.
Viral forms cause a lot fewer cases.
This terrible disease is difficult to spot. It’s vital parents act quickly if a sick child gets rapidly worse
Rob Dawson
Infections peak during winter when bugs spread more easily in confined spaces.
But a poll of 2,000 parents by drug firm GSK – which makes meningitis vaccines – showed nearly four in 10 thought the distinctive ‘mottled’ skin rash is the first sign of illness.
In fact, it means bacteria have already started to poison the blood, slashing the chances of survival.
The poll also showed just one in six parents realised the rash indicates blood poisoning.
More than half had no idea vomiting and muscle pain are early warning signs and just 27 per cent knew to look for chilly hands and feet.
Ex-England rugby star Matt Dawson, whose two-year-old-son Sami almost died from meningitis earlier this year, said: “I fell into this category and was unaware of some of the key symptoms to look out for beyond the rash.
“I urge mums and dads alike, families, teachers and young people to make sure you can recognise the symptoms early, not wait for the rash - and act immediately.”
Related Stories
Meningitis Research Foundation’s head of support Rob Dawson said: “This terrible disease is difficult to spot.
“It’s vital parents act quickly if a sick child gets rapidly worse.
“Don’t wait for a rash as it doesn’t appear in all cases.”
Liz Brown of charity Meningitis Now said: “Anyone showing symptoms such as severe headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet should seek medical help immediately.”
Britain was the first country to introduce a national vaccination scheme for the “B” strain of the disease.
The life-saving Men B jab has been being offered to all tots born after May last year.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368