"It was very very scary - you never forget it," Co Armagh mum recalls day her baby son was rushed to hospital with meningitis

It is an illness which continues to strike fear into every parent. Here SASHA WYLIE reports on the latest incidences of meningitis in Northern Ireland with the news that two P1 pupils from a Co Tyrone school are being treated for an acute form of the infection - meningococcal septicaemia. She has been catching up with the mum of a Co Armagh boy who nearly died from the illness when he was just 18 months old

Markethill mum, Judith Campbell, will never forget the day she knew there was something seriously wrong with her baby son.

Tommy was just 18 months when, after originally being diagnosed with gastric flu, his condition deteriorated quickly.

That day is etched on Judith’s memory – and the beginning the family’s nightmare.

Speaking to Downtown & Cool FM, she recalled the moment their world was turned upside down.

“I knew something wasn’t right,” she said.

“He couldn’t have the lights on the living room – he cried and cried for me to take the light off

“So I knew then.

“He was just going in and out of consciousness.

“He was put in the ambulance to go to the Royal – me and his dad were behind him in the car.

“I have to say that that part was the worst because we didn’t’ know what was going on in front of us.

“They just seemed to be getting faster and faster and all sorts of things go through your mind as to why they are going faster

“It was very very scary – you don’t’ forget it – you really don’t.”

Tommy ended up in intensive care after a diagnosis of meningococcal septicaemia – and spent some time on a life support machine.

Eventually, he came around – but Judith is a very much aware, things could have been very different.

“When you are sitting thinking I have a lovely life and you think it could be very very different,” she said.

“When he does something absolutely amazing you think Wow – it might not be like this.”

Meanwhile, doctors are warning parents to be vigilant and be aware of the symptoms of the illness.

It follows cases of two P1 pupils at an unnamed school in Co Tyrone.

It is understood both pupils are being treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Their condition is not known.

In a statement, the Public Health Agency said: “Both families have received preventative medication (antibiotics) as have a number of children and staff at the school. This has been done as a precautionary measure and there is no risk to the wider public. Antibiotics are offered only to those people who have had close and prolonged personal contact with patient/s.”

Judith added: “My advice to the parents is to stay strong, to keep their families around them and to spend as much time as possible with their children.”

It is important that everyone is aware of the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease.

Early symptoms of the disease may include:

• sudden onset of high fever;

• a severe and worsening headache without any other obvious cause;

• severe neck stiffness;

• dislike of bright lights;

• very cold hands and feet;

• drowsiness that can deteriorate so someone is difficult to wake or may even be unconscious;

• a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass (this is due to bleeding under the skin).

Babies with meningococcal disease tend to be irritable when picked up and have a high pitched cry, stiff body and jerking movements.

For further details please see link (below)

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/meningitis-know-signs-and-symptoms

• public health agency
• meningitiis