Parent’s warning after Sheffield teenager Megan, 14, is diagnosed with meningitis

Pictured is 14 years old Megan Whitehead at home in Flockton Ave,Handsworth,with her parents Anthony & Kay and brother 10 years old Ross

Published on 02/02/2013 09:00

THE parents of a Sheffield teenager were stunned to discover she had potentially deadly meningitis - despite not displaying one of the common symptoms.

Megan Whitehead, aged 14, spent five days in Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Her mum, Kay, of Flockton Avenue, Handsworth, wants to warn other parents. She said: “They always say look out for a rash with meningitis and I think now if we had waited for that symptom Megan might not be here.”

Megan was vomiting and had headaches on Christmas Day. A doctor at the walk-in medical centre in Broad Lane said he didn’t believe she had meningtitis, but sent her to the Children’s Hospital to make sure. A lumbar puncture - in which fluid is taken from the spine - confirmed the condition.

Kay, a doctor’s receptionist, added: “Whether there was just a bit of doubt in the doctor’s mind I don’t know – but thank God he did have.”

Megan is back at All Saints School, although not fully recovered.

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Parent’s warning after Sheffield teenager Megan, 14, is diagnosed with meningitis

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