A MUM whose son recovered from meningitis is spreading awareness of the disease in the hope of sparing other parents the pain her family went through.
Lynn Bayliss, speaking during national Meningitis Awareness Week, wants people to be aware of the symptoms after her son Jacob spent three weeks in hospital in 2010, when he was just five months old, after contracting Pneumococcal Meninigitis.
She said: “At no time did we ever think there was anything seriously wrong, let alone the fact it could be meningitis.
“We have never felt as helpless as parents and it was very difficult for us to understand and comprehend the seriousness of the illness.
“Jacob remained in hospital for nearly three weeks and – touch wood – has no lasting effects and has started school this week.”
“I’m supporting Meningitis Awareness Week as everyone needs to know the symptoms so they can seek medical help fast.”
Christopher Head, Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation, thanked Lynn for supporting Meningitis Awareness Week.
He said: “Her personal experience really brings home how devastating these diseases can be and why it’s so important to be aware of the symptoms and be prepared to act fast.”
International charity Meningitis Research Foundation estimates that meningitis and septicaemia affect approximately nine people in the UK and Ireland every day, killing one in ten of sufferers and leaving a quarter of survivors with life altering after-effects.
Children under five and students are most at risk, but the diseases can strike at any age and not all forms are currently covered by vaccines.
The government has introduced a MenC booster campaign aimed at students starting university. GPs can administer the vaccine free of charge until the end of October.
Visit www.meningitis.org for symptoms information, research and case studies.
