A MOTHER found her young son dead from meningitis after putting him to bed with a temperature.
Carla Parker told of her heartbreak at the death of 17-month-old Kayne Lee Fawthrop.
She found his body when she went to wake him at her home in Taylor Street, Rochdale. He was covered in the red rash that is a tell-tale sign of meningitis.
Carla said she wanted to speak out to warn other parents. "Meningitis is an instant killer," she said. "There were no obvious symptoms. Kayne had a temperature and was a bit more sleepy than normal - the same things a child suffering from a cold would have.
"I was going to go to the walk-in health centre the next day, but it just shows you how quickly things can change."
Catherine Parker, Kayne's grandmother, said: "He had been put to bed about 7pm and Carla had given him some medicine for his temperature.
'Improve'
"She checked on him a couple of times and he seemed to improve.
"It happened at the wrong time, because during the day you have time to react and can see the signs.
"Kayne was such a cheeky but happy boy who loved cars, and I've still got his sticky fingerprints on my television.
"Everyone reacts differently to meningitis, but people should be aware of how quickly it can develop."
* A Rochdale Primary Care Trust spokeswoman said symptoms in adults and older children may include: A constant generalised headache; confusion; a high temperature, though hands and feet may be cold; drowsiness; vomiting; stomach pain, sometimes with diarrhoea; rapid breathing; neck stiffness; a rash of red or purple spots or bruises which do not fade when you press a glass tumbler or finger against it - this may not be present in the early stages; joint or muscle pain; sensitivity to bright lights, daylight or even TV.
Symptoms in babies and infants may include: High temperature; fever (possibly with cold hands and feet); vomiting and refusing feeds; high-pitched moaning or whimpering; blank, staring expression; pale itchy complexion; floppiness; dislike of being handled; fretfulness; neck retraction with arching of back and convulsions.
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On behalf of national charity Meningitis Research Foundation, may I extend our condolences to the family of little Kayne Lee Fawthrop who died recently of meningitis.
I thought your readers might like to know that Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline on 080 8800 3344 for symptoms information or in-depth support following a case.