A MOTHER whose baby daughter stared death in the face when she contracted meningitis has spoken out to raise awareness about the disease.

Charlotte McDowell, now eight, deteriorated within hours when she was struck down with bacterial meningitis. She has suffered years of sickness as a result.

Ann, her mum, said she and her husband were grateful the illness was diagnosed so swiftly but added they live in fear of the disease returning.

National Meningitis Trust's Awareness Week starts on Monday when people all over the country will undertake activities to raise cash for research into the illness.

Ann, 40, of Uplands Chase, Fulwood, explained that knowing the danger signs can mean the difference between life and death.

"Charlotte was lucky because she was diagnosed so quickly. Most people are not so lucky," she said.

The little girl was just five weeks old when the disease struck, causing the lining of her brain to swell.

Ann said: "She was fine at 8am when my husband went to work.

"By midday she did not want to feed. We took her to the baby clinic and the doctor said to take her straight to the hospital.

"She went downhill very quickly and was soon in a sort of coma and had to be put in an incubator," she added.

Her head began to swell because she had fluid on the brain and, although disease responded to treatment because they had acted so quickly, the problems didn't stop there.

At three months Charlotte was admitted to Pendlebury Hospital and had a special valve inserted behind her right ear to ease the pain - something she still needs.

In her early years the bug led to bouts of sickness, headaches and problems with walking and she still has annual hospital checks.

However she is now a healthy, bright girl. But Ann and her husband Stephen live in constant fear. Ann revealed: "We can never rest because she could get it again."

The National Meningitis Trust runs a 24-hour information line. Ring 0891 715577.

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