Meningitis: Would you REALLY know the signs?

A new survey commissioned by Brother Max to coincide with National Meningitis Week 2010 has revealed that almost half of Northern Irish parents are not confident when taking their child’s temperature, and are unaware that temperature differs between adults and children.

One of the key indicators of meningitis and many other childhood illnesses is a raised temperature, yet thousands of NI parents said they were unsure of the normal temperature range for children, with many relying on oral digital thermometers to check their child’s temperature even though GPs consider them to give inaccurate readings.

More than 1,500 UK parents and grandparents completed the survey, which identifies that there is confusion about the correct diagnosis of potentially serious illnesses such as meningitis, especially when it comes to recognising normal body temperature ranges in babies and children.

The survey revealed that:

70% of NI parents are not completely confident of diagnosing illness in their children.
48% of NI parents are not confident of taking their child’s temperature.
43% of NI parents are unsure or don’t know that body temperature differs between adults and children.
38% of NI parents use oral digital thermometers that most GPs consider give an inaccurate reading.

Dr Hilary Jones, Patron of Meningitis Resarch Foundation and TV medic said:  “Babies, toddlers and children become poorly all the time and sometimes it is very difficult for any concerned parent to establish just how sick their child really is.  Is it merely a mild viral illness or could they be showing the first signs of an ear or chest infection, tonsillitis or even meningitis? The symptoms of meningitis can also vary from baby to child and sometimes appear flu-like, such as vomiting and drowsiness.”

Signs and symptoms of meningitis in babies and children include:

A fever with cold hands and feet
Refusing food/vomiting
Dislike of being handled
Stiff neck
Dislike of bright lights
Drowsy, floppy, unresponsive or difficult to wake
Rapid breathing
Unusual cry/moaning
Severe headache
Muscle pain
Rash that does not fade under pressure from a glass

Normal temperature ranges differ between adults and children and also children of different ages.  Dr Hilary recommends using the following as a guide:

Babies aged 6 months to 2 yrs:  Normal temperature range is 36.0 to 36.8ºC.  37.2ºC is a mild temp, 37.5 is high requiring medical advice.

Toddlers up to 5 yrs: Normal temperature range is 36.0 to 37.0ºC.  37.2 is mild temp, 37.5 to 38.0 is high requiring medical advice .

Over 5’s:  Normal temperature range is  36.4 to 37.2ºC, temp over 38.0ºC requires medical advice.

More information about meningitis can be found at The Meningitis Research Foundation and The Meningitis Trust.  If you are concerned about your child’s health you should consult your GP.