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Viral Meningitis

(22 Posts)
grannyactivist Thu 04-Apr-13 21:03:27

Came back early from a short holiday today; two of our (adult) children have viral meningitis!!! They spent Easter together and now are both really poorly. Thank God it isn't bacterial, but still quite worrying. Both have been told to dial 999 if a rash appears. Has anyone any experience of this in adults? Daughter has been told it's still okay to breastfeed, but I've suggested baby is given a bottle so that his mum gets some rest.

Mishap Thu 04-Apr-13 21:15:36

What a shock for you. Are they at home? This must be such a worry - I do hope that things imporve quickly.

Galen Thu 04-Apr-13 21:38:43

So do I! Who diagnosed this?

grannyactivist Thu 04-Apr-13 21:51:25

Son is at home; daughter is staying with her mother in law. Diagnosed by the GP this morning.

Galen Thu 04-Apr-13 22:15:29

Headaches?
Neck stiffness?
Photophobia?

grannyactivist Thu 04-Apr-13 22:20:51

Yes - terrible
Yes - terrible
No - not so far

Also nausea and high temperature. No rash. Some confusion.

Galen Thu 04-Apr-13 22:26:20

Probably then. You get the rash with bacterial which is much more serious and contagious.its normally fairly mild in adults,

Flowerofthewest Thu 04-Apr-13 22:27:36

My sister had bacterial meningitis in her 20s. Luckily I recognised the symptoms as her husband at the time wanted to leave it until the next morning and not bother the GP. My daughter had had viral meningitis and spent 2 weeks in hospital the summer before. My sister spent Christmas in hospital and recovered completely.

merlotgran Thu 04-Apr-13 22:55:41

My elder DD had viral meningitis when she was 18. She had all the symptoms Galen has mentioned and was in hospital for a week. Thankfully she made a full recovery

Best wishes to you and your family, ga flowers

harrigran Thu 04-Apr-13 23:06:54

That is awful grannya wishing them a speedy recovery flowers

annodomini Thu 04-Apr-13 23:11:30

I had the viral kind when I was 33 and it was very debilitating - high temperature for days on end, vomiting, neck pain and vicious headache. My parents came to help to look after the children who were very young at the time. It took weeks to recover.

Butty Fri 05-Apr-13 07:41:42

ga I do hope they both recover well. flowers

glassortwo Fri 05-Apr-13 08:02:24

grannya I hope they both make a quick recovery, another busy time for you, are you looking after the two little ones? flowers

goldengirl Fri 05-Apr-13 20:44:38

The Meningitis Trust website is very helpful www.meningitis-trust.org
Their helpline number is 0808 80 10 388.
The website has loads of information on it
Our grandson contracted bacterial meningitis and septicaemia 2 years ago so I can understand your worry with viral meningitis.

grannyactivist Fri 05-Apr-13 21:43:00

Thanks all for good wishes and for the link golden.
Daughter is visiting her lovely mother in law in London and being well cared for along with her husband and the little ones.
Fortunately my offspring are usually very fit and healthy, so I'm hoping they'll recover quite quickly.

grannyactivist Mon 15-Apr-13 20:00:55

Daughter is now completely recovered, but son is still very poorly and also worried about taking time off work. The doctor's given him another sick note for a further week, but said it could take up to five weeks before son is well enough to return to work. Son has never taken time off sick from work in his life before and is fretting. He popped in for a very brief visit yesterday and has lost quite a bit of weight and looked an unhealthy colour - the visit was meant to reassure me; it didn't. hmm He then went home and collapsed, hence needing to see the doctor again today.

Galen Mon 15-Apr-13 20:13:06

Hope he improves soon!

harrigran Mon 15-Apr-13 22:49:35

So worrying GA I hate to see DC ill.

annodomini Tue 16-Apr-13 09:12:14

You and your family aren't having much luck at the moment, GA. Take care of yourself. I hope your two foster sons are OK. smile

Elizabeth1 Tue 16-Apr-13 11:33:47

I wish your son a speedy recovery

grannyactivist Tue 14-May-13 12:06:50

Advice please gransnetters:
My son is now back at work, but is struggling with (short term) memory loss and confusion, he also tires very quickly. As he's a trainee accountant (auditor) he needs to be pretty sharp at work and is stressing about his ability to cope with the demands of the job and his ongoing exams. He has had no follow up from his GP and he's concerned because he has no idea whether his brain has been permanently damaged or if it is simply slow to recover. I've offered to pay for a private neurology consultation and he's agreed that if there's no improvement in four weeks he will accept.
Does anyone have any experience of viral meningitis and its after effects in adults?
Is a neurologist the best consultant to go to with this problem?

MiceElf Tue 14-May-13 12:45:17

My cousin had this a few years ago. It left her very tired with headaches and difficulty in concentrating. She made a complete recovery but it took about six months. Your son should ask his GP to refer him to the hospital for a complete check. I do hope all goes well and that he gets seen quickly. The stress of struggling at work will make it all worse.