On Valentines day 2016 two-year-old Faye Burdett tragically passed away from meningitis after two weeks of trying to battle the killer virus.
Faye’s brave parents gave their friend permission to release an image of Faye’s infected body to raise awareness of the disease.
That same day England rugby player Matt Dawson spoke of his son’s two week battle with the deadly disease but thankfully his son managed to pull through.
Scarily, Ireland has the highest numbers of cases of Meningitis B than anywhere else in Europe. There are plans in place for children to be given a vaccine against the deadly virus this year.
The meningitis jab has already been given the go-ahead in the UK. It is being offered on the NHS for infants aged two months, followed by a second dose at four months and a booster at 12 months.
This has caused parents of children who have not been vaccinated to be much more alert about the symptoms surrounding the disease.
Meningitis symptoms parents should look out for:
1. A child with a high temperature but with cold hands and feet.
2. A child who is vomiting and very agitated.
3. A child who is excessively drowsy, and adverse to light or complaining of a stiff neck.
4. A child refusing to feed.
5. A child with a tense, bulging soft spot on their head.
6. A child with an unusual high-pitched or moaning cry.
7. A child having convulsions or seizures.
maternity & infant
Originally posted 2016-02-22 11:43:30.