Meningitis: Symptoms in babies and young children

Meningitis can kill in hours - know the symptoms.

meningitis symptoms children

by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Anyone can get meningitis, but babies and young children under five years of age are most at risk.

Meningitis symptoms in babies and young children:

  • a high fever

  • cold hands and feet

  • vomiting

  • not wanting to feed

  • feeling agitated

  • not wanting to be picked up

  • drowsiness

  • becoming floppy or unresponsive

  • grunting

  • rap breathing / breathlessness

  • unusually high-pitched or moaning cry

  • pale, blotchy skin

  • red rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it

  • tense, bulging soft spot on their head (fontanelle)

  • stiff neck

  • sensitivity to bright lights

  • convulsions

  • seizures

The above symptoms may appear in any order - and some may not develop at all.

Fever is often absent in babies less than three months of age.

**REMEMBER: Don't wait for a rash to develop. **

Seek immediate medical help if someone is unwell and displays the symptoms of meningitis.

Find out more about meningitis here.

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