WHEN Alice Elliott's three-year-old son was diagnosed with a deadly strain of meningitis, she had to face the terrifying possibility he might not survive.
Thankfully, Nathan, now six, did recover and Alice is sharing his story to help apromote Meningitis Awareness Week.
Alice, of Nutley Close, Goring, began to worry when Nathan developed a fever back in May, 2005.
At first, she thought it was tonsillitis, but when he began complaining of a headache she took him to the doctors.
Something wrongAlice, 33, said: "He was very lethargic and couldn't walk unaided and I started to get worried.
"It was just a mother's instinct that something was wrong.
"The doctor was concerned and sent us to the paediatric unit at Worthing Hospital.
"Nathan had a strange look in his eyes, so they did a lumbar puncture and then meningitis was diagnosed.
State of shock"When they said that, I was just in shock.
"I was worried but they acted really quickly and told me not to think too much about what could happen.
"I couldn't fault the care. It was brilliant."
As soon as doctors realised Nathan had pneumococcal meningitis – a potentially fatal bacterial strain of the disease – he was started on a course of intravenous antibiotics.
Full recoveryHe remained in hospital for a week while he recovered, and for two weeks after that he needed daily antibiotic injections in hospital.
Alice believes if it was not for the quick actions of doctors, Nathan might not have made such a full recovery.
She said parents should be aware of the symptoms of meningitis, and urged them to seek medical advice if they were worried.
"The doctors would rather send home a healthy child, rather than not see a very ill one.
"Early diagnosis can make a huge difference, which is certainly true in Nathan's case."
SymptomsAdrian Robson, of the Meningitis Research Foundation, said symptoms include a rash, fever, vomiting, cold hands and feet, shivering, limb, joint or muscle pain, abdominal pain, pale or mottled skin, rapid or unusual breathing, drowsy and less responsive or vacant behaviour.
The foundation currently has 22 ongoing research projects and provides information on the latest vaccines against the disease.
To get one of its free 'B Aware' symptoms packs, call 080 8800 3344 or visit
www.meningitis.org-------------------------------------
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