Meningitis reminder for parents as illness strikes

Parents were today being reminded to be on the lookout for signs of meningitis in their children after a small number of cases were reported in the West Midlands.

Three youngsters displayed symptoms of the disease at Wodensfield Primary School in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. Another child in the city also contracted meningitis in the minor outbreak.

All have fully recovered since but health chiefs in the region are reminding parents what to look out for in children who are struck down with meningitis.

Ros Jervis, consultant in public health for Wolverhampton City PCT, said main symptoms in sufferers included a high temperature, severe headache, dislike of bright light, a stiff neck and aching joints, drowsiness and a purple rash which does not fade if pressed with a clear glass.

She said: "It's important to point out that despite a few cases in Wolverhampton of late, it's nothing for parents to panic about. The youngsters had meningococcal meningitis B, which is not vaccine preventable which means there is no injection out there to prevent it. Some mums and dads might think their child has had their jabs for meningitis but not for meningococcal B. It's important if children display symptoms, their parents seek medical advice."

The Health Protection Agency and public health officials in Wolverhampton have investigated four cases of meningitis in children in Wolverhampton since November, three of which were linked to Wodensfield Primary.

There were 49 cases of probable meningitis among children and adults across Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall in the last 12 months.

Symptoms to watch for and how to react

The symptons to watch out for can include a combination of the following: Headaches; stiffness of the neck; fever; vomiting; confusion; sore eyes; back and joint pain; purple/red spots on the skin which don't disappear when pressed with a clear glass and drowsiness and loss of appetite, specifically in babies and toddlers.

What parents should do if they notice these symptoms in their child:

Consult your family GP; call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or call The Meningitis Trust's 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 0800 0281828.

If the rash doesn't disappear after being pressed with a glass, seek immediate medical attention.