The key symptoms Bedfordshire parents told they must act on amid meningitis outbreak
With the recent meningitis outbreak in the South East, parents of young babies are being urged to know the warning signs and act fast.
According to baby care experts, For Your Little One, babies under 12 months are one of the most vulnerable groups during such outbreaks, and unlike older children and adults, young babies cannot tell you how they feel.
Their immune systems are still developing and the warning signs of meningitis in infants can look very different from the classic adult symptoms, meaning parents might not notice them right away. Missing them, even briefly, can have devastating consequences. Here is what every parent needs to know right now.
The symptoms to look out for and when to act
If your baby shows any of the following signs, call 999 or go straight to accident and emergency immediately. Do not wait to see if things improve on their own.
- A high pitched, unusual or moaning cry that does not sound like their normal cry
- Refusing feeds or repeated vomiting
- Being unusually drowsy, very difficult to wake or unresponsive
- A bulging fontanelle, which is the soft spot on the top of the head
- A floppy body or alternatively stiffness with jerky movements
- Cold hands and feet despite having a high temperature
- Pale, blotchy or bluish skin
- A rash of red or purple spots that does not fade when a glass is pressed firmly against it
- Rapid or unusual breathing
- Excessive irritability when picked up or handled
The NHS is clear that the rash is often a late sign and does not always appear at all. Never wait for it before seeking help.
"Babies cannot tell you when something is wrong, and the early signs of meningitis can look like ordinary unsettledness at first. If your baby seems unwell in a way that feels different from usual, please do not wait and see," a spokesperson at For Your Little One said.
While the MenB vaccine offered at eight weeks, twelve weeks and one year provides strong protection, it does not cover every strain. This means that vaccination status alone is not enough to guarantee safety. According to the baby care experts, staying informed and acting quickly is the most important thing a parent can do.
A spokesperson at For Your Little One added: "Parents should also check their baby's red book to make sure they are up to date with their MenB vaccinations. If you are ever unsure about your baby's symptoms, call NHS 111 for guidance."
Why babies are especially vulnerable
Babies under 12 months are far less capable than older children and adults of fighting off the bacteria that causes meningitis. They have very little natural defence against the disease as their immune systems are still in the very early stages of development.
The bacteria responsible for meningitis are carried harmlessly in the nose and throat of many healthy people and can be passed to babies through everyday close contact such as coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing dummies.
Because symptoms can appear suddenly and are often mistaken for a bad night or a common cold, parents may not realise something is seriously wrong until the situation has already worsened.