Meningitis in your words

Jessica Goodall's story

  • Location: England
  • Categories: Bacterial meningitis
  • Age: Toddler 1-3
  • Relationship: Parent
  • Outcome: Recovery with after effects
  • After effects: Other
Jessica Goodall

My daughter Jessica had a rash all over her body, identical to chicken pox, so we kept her off from her child minder. 

Later that day me and Jessica were visiting my mum and dad's house, when Jessica stopped breathing on me, as if she was choking. I had to give mouth to mouth, and she started to breathe again. An ambulance was on the way. 

When the doctors at the hospital examined her they said it was chicken pox, so we left. 

" within 30 minutes they were treating Jessica for meningococcal septicaemia"

Later that afternoon Jessica still wasn't herself so we took her to the hospital again. We had a different doctor examine her and within 30 minutes they were treating Jessica for meningococcal septicaemia. 

After ten days in hospital Jessica made a full recovery, but has behaviour problems and lack of concentration.

Chris Goodall
July 2009