Three-year-old lucky to be alive after contracting Meningococcal B, but not developing rash
A three-year-old boy from South Australia is lucky to be alive after contracting Meningococcal B.
He did not develop the rash normally associated with the potentially deadly disease, sparking a warning from his family to other parents.
Millicent boy Xavier Yates began complaining of headaches last month.
His mum Kateesha Yates said seeing her child crying out in pain and not being able to do anything was horrible.
He was diagnosed with the flu, but three weeks later he still wasn't better, so his mum and grandmother Colleen O'Loughlin pushed for more tests.
He was flown to Adelaide and diagnosed with Meningococcal B, even though he didn't have the rash which is commonly associated with the disease.
"They said 48 hours later it could have been fatal," Ms O'Loughlin said.
Doctors say the symptoms of Meningococcal aren't always easy to recognise.
Doctor Rod Pearce said there is usually fever associated with the disease, but not always.
"There's a change in behaviour which is characteristic," he said.
After a week on antibiotics Xavier has made a full recovery.
Now his family just want to make sure no one else goes through what they have.
"It broke my heart and I'm glad I didn't stop, that someone listened to me and I got to the bottom of it," Ms O'Loughlin said.
His mum said: "I'm just glad that he's safe and okay now, still safe, still running around".
Three South Australians have died from Meningococcal this year.
