Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain, and a baby with meningitis can become seriously ill within a matter of hours. If the illness is identified and treated quickly, most children make a full recovery. However, because your baby can't tell you whether he's experiencing symptoms such as a severe headache, for example, you need to extra alert on his behalf. If your baby show the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately, or take him to the nearest emergency department:

Adults

• Being Sick.
• Feeling feverish.
• Pain in the back or joints.
• A severe headache.
• A stiff neck.

Babies

• A high fever.
• A high-pitched, moaning cry.
• Is listless, drowsy and difficult to wake.
• Refusal to eat.
• Has pale blotchy skin.
• Has a rash of flat, dark-red or purple blood spots that do not fade under pressure.
• Has a slightly bulging fontanelle (the soft area on the top of the skull).

Children

• A high fever.
• Stiffness in the neck - can the child kiss his or her knee?
• Drowsiness or confusion.
• A dislike of bright light.
• Red or purple bruise-like spots that do not fade under pressure.

The disease can develop very quickly - sometimes in a matter of hours. If you recognise the signs early and get help urgently you can save lives.

Glass Test
This test is very simple. If you press a clear glass firmly against the bruise-like rash, you can see if the rash fades. If the rash does not fade, contact your doctor immediately.