09
Nov 2016
Meningitis? Sepsis? Or a cold?
Meningitis? Sepsis? or a cold?
What to know and what to do if you’re worried about your baby.
Both Meningitis and Sepsis in babies are rare conditions but they appear quickly, often look like minor colds or ‘bugs’ and your child’s condition can deteriorate very rapidly. Unless these conditions are spotted and treated promptly, they can be fatal within a few hours.
Meningitis is an infection of the lining surrounding the brain (called the meninges). The infection can be caused by bacteria, virus or even a fungal infection.
Sepsis (also called Septicaemia) is the result of bacteria, virus or fungal infection getting into the blood stream and circulating around the body.
SYMPTOMS:
Meningitis and Sepsis share SOME symptoms but, if your baby is suffering from a number of the symptoms below, whichever column they’re from, ring for medical help (dial 111 or your GP) and let the experts help you. They’ll ask for the symptoms, so make sure you write them down, so you don’t miss any ‘in the heat of the moment’. Set out below are the common symptoms of each condition, be aware though, that not all babies will show ALL of the symptoms below. Some may be very subtle and others may not appear at all:
| Meningitis A high temperature (fever) but with cold hands and feet. Rapid, noisy breathing. Vomiting and no interest in feeds. Lethargic, tired, difficulty waking up. Physically ‘floppy’ to hold. Irritability when being handled or picked up. Moaning cries or high-pitched ‘hysterical’ screaming. Pale or mottled skin, possibly with a rash that stays visible when a glass tumbler is rolled directly over it. Convulsions or ‘fits’. | Sepsis Temperature changes. Fever or hypothermia (too cold). It may vary between the two. Baby’s hands and feet may feel cold. Struggling with breathing. Rapid breathing, or episodes of stopping breathing for a period of time and then starting again (called apnoea pronounced APP-NEAR) Lethargic, tired, difficulty waking up. Weak sucking when feeding. Loss of interest in feeds. Skin discolouration. In the later stages look out for pale or mottled skin or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
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We have worked with a number of clients who have done everything right, but still the proper diagnosis was missed. This shouldn’t happen at all but if it happens to you, we’ll do all we can to help.
Chadwick Lawrence LLP Tel: 0800 028 2969 or email tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.
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