<p>“Other signs include stiff neck (hubby did not have that) and photosensitivity. This disease moves quickly.”</p>
<p>These are the classic symptoms. My son had meningitis when he was six years old. I kept trying to wake him up one summer morning to go to basketball camp. He didn’t want to leave his dark bedroom and kept saying his throat and neck hurt. I still didn’t catch on. After a bit I phoned the pediatrician and said I thought we needed to come by for a throat culture (I thought it was strep.) Fortunately the astute physician routed us to ER for a spinal tap. </p>
<p>I still can’t believe how quickly he deteriorated that morning. I’ve always prided myself on being watchful and sensitive to these things. I knew it was bad, though, when my son collapsed in the elevator and didn’t want to take his head off the floor because it hurt so bad. He survived, but it was a while before he was back to his old self.</p>
<p>So if nothing else, remind your kids that meningitis hits hard and fast and they shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help at the infirmary (or wherever) if symptoms like these present themselves.</p>