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Stories

Josh's story

11th February 2015

Julie’s son Joshua contracted viral meningitis when he was 8-years-old. He suffered headaches, sickness and flu-like symptoms and was taken to the doctor

Josh's story

“The doctor said it was a virus and told me to give him fluids and Calpol.

I was confident that it wasn’t anything worse, but by 5pm that evening he was hard to rouse and unresponsive. I took him to the walk in centre at 6pm and they in turn sent him by ambulance to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

He was immediately given antibiotics and sent for a brain scan. The scan showed that he had swelling around the brain and we were told to prepare for the worst.

Josh spent three days in intensive care and a further ten days on a ward.

I'm glad to say that Josh has made a wonderful recovery and without the children’s hospital and Meningitis Now it could have been so different!

It’s taught me not to hesitate if you feel something isn’t right. If I'd put Josh to bed thinking it was just a cold he wouldn't be here today.

Meningitis Now showed me that it wasn't my fault and that I did the very best for Josh. If I had any questions they were there to answer them.”

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