When my son was 4 weeks old he had a sudden spike in temperature overnight along with loss of appetite, sluggishness and digestive issues.

Luckily we were very quick in taking him to hospital but it took some time for his temperature to stabilise and in this time he began to also have focal seizures.

After an MRI and other numerous tests including five lumbar punctures it was found that he had meningitis.

He was treated immediately with courses of antibiotics and antiviral medication while the cause and type of the infection was tested for but unfortunately due to issues getting successful lumbar punctures without blood in it took a long time to find out the root of the infection.

After two weeks in hospital the infection markers had gone and all symptoms dissipated also for him to be able to be discharged with follow ups for scans, hearing and medication.

After some time one of the lumbar puncture cultures had shown positive for Strep B so although it is unsure if this was definitely the cause of his meningitis it’s the only answer that the hospital had found.

We were extremely lucky with Sullivan it was caught so early and treated immediately and effectively, as far as we are currently aware.

We are yet to know how his long term development may yet be affected.

So I’m doing this for him, to raise more awareness and for all those whose outcome was very different to ours. X

Group B Streptococcus is the UK's most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies and of meningitis in babies under age 3 months.

On average in the UK, at least

-two babies a day develop a group B Strep infection

-one baby a week dies from their GBS infection, and

-one baby a week survives with long-term disabilities – physical, mental or both.

Yet most group B Strep infections are preventable. Group B Strep Support informs families & health professionals about group B Strep to save tiny lives.