Two-year-old Wirral boy dies from meningitis

Jun 9 2009 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A spokeswoman for Pitter Patter Day Nursery said: “We have remained in contact with the parents and are working on our own tribute to the little boy.

“We have also been in full contact with the health agencies and Ofsted.

“Everyone is satisfied there is no link to the nursery at all, but we were all devastated by his loss.”

The meningococcal germ is common, but illness resulting from it is rare.

Meningococcal infection can cause meningitis – inflammation of the brain – or septicaemia, also known as blood poisoning.

The onset of illness is often sudden and treatment should be sought immediately if it is suspected.

Early symptoms, which may not always be present, include a rash which does not fade when pressed with a glass; sudden onset of high fever; severe and worsening headache; stiff neck;Š vomiting; joint and muscle pain; dislike of bright lights; very cold hands and feet; and drowsiness which can deteriorate into a coma.

FOR more information, contact the Meningitis Trust on 0845 6000 800 or log onto www.meningitis-trust.org

Alternatively, people with concerns can ring NHS Direct, the 24-hour nurse-led telephone health advice service, on 0845-4647.