A mum whose only son developed deadly meningitis has warned other parents against complacency.

Julie Baker did the recommended "tumbler test" when 18-months-old Cameron fell ill with what looked like a heat rash on his chest and back.

She had read that, if the marks faded, it was not meningitis. They did and she felt - falsely - reassured.

On Tuesday we reported how another mum, Tina Baines, did the same test on her daughter Leia.

The mark faded but Leia's condition deteriorated and she spent the next crucial days on a life support machine. Doctors diagnosed meningococcal septicaemia - virulent blood poisoning.

Cameron's parents, Julie and Gary, took their son to Healthcall, the doctors' deputising service in London Road, Westcliff, after he was sick in the car.

He was very lethargic and Julie noticed marks like heat bumps on his body and back, so did the glass test. Doctors at Healthcall believed he had chicken pox but referred him to Southend Hospital.

When his temperature dropped, Julie and Gary were told to take him home, keep an eye on him and bring him straight back if he deteriorated.

By next morning Julie said: "Cameron was dazed and did not know we were there."

Within minutes of arriving in Neptune children's ward, paediatricians were pumping antibiotics into his body. Julie and Gary were told the next 24 hours could go either way.

Cameron spent 11 days in Southend. Back home in Steeplefield, Eastwood, he has just started to walk again.

Amelia Cummins, consultant in public Health medicine with South Essex Health Authority, said the rash was only one indicators of meningitis and parents should look at their child's overall condition. Vaccination programmes are being extended.

Home again - Cameron with mum Julie after his brush with meningitis

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

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