School mourns tragic meningitis youngster

Ali Powell • Last updated 26 Feb 2009 09:17 2 Comments

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy from south Reading has died of meningitis.

The youngster, a Year 8 pupil at Ryeish Green School, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital on Tuesday night, just hours after being taken ill.

Support and counselling officers visited Ryeish Green School yesterday to talk to his classmates, and headteacher Jenny Garner sent a letter home to parents that same day.

She said: "On Wednesday morning the news of the death of a pupil in Year 8 was broken to staff and students. The whole school community is deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss.

"Our sympathy and thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."

She added: "He will be remembered as being a lively boy, good at football and very sensitive."

The boy was taken ill after the weekend and admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital on Monday. He was transferred the same day to the John Radcliffe Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit to be treated for meningococcal infection, but died overnight on Tuesday.

Immediate members of the family and other close contacts have all been given antibiotic treatment as a preventative measure.

Dr Sam Ejide, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at the Health Protection Unit, has sent a letter to parents of pupils at Ryeish Green school reassuring them that only people who have had very close household contact needed treatment but alerting them to signs and symptoms of the disease.

Thames Valley Health Protection Unit spokesman Theresa Cash said: "The HPU can confirm that a 12-year-old child from Berkshire has died of suspected meningococcal infection.

"Meningococcal infection is rare and almost always occurs as isolated cases. It can cause meningitis or septicaemia. Meningitis can also be caused by other bacteria or viruses. Anyone worried by a feverish illness should seek medical advice."

How to recognise meningitis and septicaemia

In babies, look out for one or more of these symptoms:

* A high fever

* A high-pitched, moaning cry

* Difficult to wake

* Refusal to eat

* Pale or blotchy skin

* Red or purple bruise-like spots that do not fade under pressure

In older children, look out for one or more of these symptoms:

* A high fever

* Stiffness in the neck - can the child kiss his or her knee?

* Drowsiness or confusion

* A severe headache

* A dislike of bright light

* Red or purple bruise-like spots that do not fade under pressure

The Glass Test - If you press a clear glass firmly against the bruise-like rash, you can see if the rash fades. If the rash doesn't fade, contact your doctor immediately.

Further information is available from NHS Direct or the meningitis charities which run 24-hour information lines for general information about meningitis or for requesting a leaflet.

Useful numbers:

NHS Direct 0845 4647 http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Meningitis Trust 0800 028 1828 http://www.meningitis-trust.org.uk

Meningitis Research Foundation 0808 800 3344 http://www.meningitis.org

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 01 Jan 70

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