26 February 2010
The Chief Executive of Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals is making a heartfelt plea to local parents, asking them to be aware of the risks and symptoms of meningitis.
Last year, when Samantha Jones' baby twins, Leo and Ellie, were just seven weeks old, Leo contracted meningitis and was left fighting for his life. Now, because the number of cases of meningitis peaks at this time of year, Samantha is speaking out about her family's experience.
Samantha said: "I was just getting them up from their morning nap, when I noticed that Leo was very hot. He was absolutely fine an hour before, so I took his temperature, which was very high at 39.5 degrees centigrade. He then started to have a fit.
"I'm trained as a children's nurse, so I was still quite calm at that point - I knew what I had to do. I had to call an ambulance, call my husband, pack a bag and call a relative to come and look after Ellie."
Leo was rushed to the A&E department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where he was seen by a consultant who suspected meningitis.
Samantha said: "I am so incredibly grateful for the quick thinking of the staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. It didn't cross my mind that it could be anything as serious as meningitis, but as we sat in A&E, that unmistakable rash came up and it all became very real. It was at that point that it really began to sink in and Leo was admitted to hospital.
"Leo was critical for 24 hours, and I remember thinking that this could be it, that he could die. I asked the doctors if he was going to die, and they said that they had done all that they could. Hearing those words was absolutely horrific - in fact, it was worse than that.
"It is hard to explain just how awful it was. When your whole reason for being is fighting for his life in front of you, well, it's unimaginable."
Luckily, because Samantha acted so quickly, and thanks to the expert care at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Leo made a good recovery and was discharged from hospital within five days.
However, meningitis can have a lasting effect on the development, growth and hearing of children.
Samantha said: "So far, it's so good, and we're just hoping that Leo is one of the very lucky ones. He's back to his normal, laid-back self now and is as cheeky as ever. We'll keep a close eye on him, but for now, we're all just over the moon that he's okay.
"When it comes to meningitis, it is vitally important that you can recognise the signs and act quickly. You've got to trust your instincts too - if something doesn't seem right, then get help."
The classic signs of meningitis are:
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Fever/vomiting;
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Severe headache;
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Stiff neck;
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Dislike of bright lights;
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Very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake;
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Confused/delirious;
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Rash - which does not disappear or fade under pressure. Roll a glass over the rash to check;
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Seizures.
