Signs and symptoms of Meningitis in babies and children
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain. The two most common are bacteria and viral meningitis.
Meningitis in babies and toddlers
Signs and symptoms
- Cold, hands and feet
- Refusing food and vomiting
- Unresposive, Drowsy, Floppy
- Fretful, dislikes being picked up
- Grunting or rapid breathing
- Pale, blotchy skin
- Spots or rash
- Unusual cry or moaning
- Stiff neck
- Disikes bright lights
- Tense/Bulging fotanelle (soft spot)
Meningitis in children
- Fever, cold hands and feet
- Vomiting
- Confusion and irritability
- Drowsy and difficult to wake
- Severe muscle pain
- Pale, blotchy skin
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Dislike bright lights
- Convulsions/Seizures
Meningitis rash glass test
- Press the side of a clear glass firmly against the skin
- Spots or rash might fade at first
- Keep checking
- Fever with spots or fash that DO NOT fade under pressure is a medical emergency
- Do NOT wait for a rash to appear, If someone is ill and getting worse, seek medical help immediately.
- On darker or black skin, the rash or spots can sometimes be difficult to see. Check the lighter areas on the skin like palms of the hands, soles of the feet, inside the eyelids and in the roof of the mouth
What is the rash?
A rash associated with meningitis is caused by bacteria/poison multiplying in the blood. The blood leaks into tissues under the skin. Septicaemia or sometimes called Sepsis. This is a medical emergency and the child must be taken to hospital immediately.
For more information on Meningitis and Sepsis, please visit Meningitisnow.org
For Baby and child first aid classes for parents or childcare professionals please visit Daisy First Aid