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Meningitis - Tot Watch
03 April 2003
Meningitis and septicaemia affect the under five year olds more than any other age group. Meningitis Research Foundation has therefore produced Tot Watch - a new resource to save lives.
Because the diseases can progress so rapidly, killing in hours, it is important to be able to recognise the symptoms of both meningitis and septicaemia, the blood poisoning and more life-threatening form of the disease. Not only is the highest incidence of the disease in the under five age group, it is also harder to recognise because very small children cannot always say how ill they are feeling.
Tot Watch, which opens up into a mini-poster, presents the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia in toddlers, and gives the Foundation's 24 hour helpline numbers to contact should further information or support be required.
As well as giving symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, Tot Watch also calls on parents and other carers to 'Trust their Instincts.' If their toddler is ill with these symptoms and is getting worse rapidly then medical help should be sought immediately. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment really do give the best chances for a good recovery.
Denise Vaughan, Meningitis Research Foundation's Chief Executive said: "Although there are vaccines which give excellent protection against some forms of meningitis and septicaemia, they cannot protect against them all. We hope that Tot Watch will be as successful in saving the lives of toddlers as our Baby Watch has been in saving those of babies."
To request a FREE Tot Watch pack, call Meningitis Research Foundation's 24 hour helpline - Freefone 080 8800 3344 (UK) or LoCall 1890 41 33 44 (Republic of Ireland).