Family’s agony as boy, four, who fell ill on his first day of school dies of deadly meningitis
Alfie told his mum he loved school and couldn't wait to go back - but sadly he never got that opportunity
THE heartbroken family of a four-year-old boy who died of meningitis have released a picture of him critically ill in a hospital bed – as they revealed he didn’t get to attend his second day at school.
Alfie, whose surname was not given at the request of his parents, died at Bristol Children's Hospital on September 23 – 12 days after first falling ill.
On a page his heartbroken family told how he initially developed symptoms on his first day at school – which he loved.
Releasing a picture of him beaming in his school uniform with his tongue poking out, his family said: “The picture was taken on the day he got ill.
“It was his first day at school, and when he came home he told his mummy he enjoyed it so much he couldn't wait to go back again.
“The next morning, on September 11, Alfie woke up covered in a purple rash. He was rushed to his local hospital where he went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated twice while his parents could only watch on."
“He was a little bit sniffly so when he went to bed his parents gave him some Calpol, as anyone would.
“He was sick in the night and was a bit sleepy. In the morning he had a purple rash so they phoned the ambulance straight away.
What is meningitis?
It can be mistaken as the flu or even a hangover - but knowing the symptoms of potentially deadly meningitis could save your life.
It is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord and can be caused by meningococcal bacteria and viral meningitis.
If it is not treated quickly, meningitis can cause life-threatening septicaemia (blood poisoning) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
The two forms of the disease have different symptoms.
Around 3,200 people a year get bacterial meningitis. One in 10 die and many more are left with life-changing disabilities.
Viral forms of meningitis are less common and rarely life-threatening, but can have lifelong effects.
Infections peak during winter when bugs spread more easily in confined spaces.
Meningitis is usually passed on from people who carry the virus or bacterial form in their throat or nose, but aren't ill themselves.
It can be spread through kissing, sneezing, coughing and sharing household items such as toothbrushes or cutlery.
It is thought that the bacteria are able to invade the body more easily via the nose and throat during winter due to recent infection with flu virus.
The illness can be caught from someone who is ill with meningitis but this is more rare.
The symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and include:
- A high fever over 37.5 degrees - the average human temperature
- being sick
- a headache
- a blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it
- stiffness, especially in the neck
- sensitivity to bright lights
- drowsiness, irritability or lack of energy
- cold hands and feet
- seizures
Student, 18, diagnosed with meningitis after her eagle-eyed gran spotted her rash in FaceTime call.
Woman, 23, just 30 minutes from death after ’bout of flu turns out to be .