A MENINGITIS charity has backed a mother's call for parents to be make themselves aware of the symptoms of the killer brain bug after her daughter died of the illness.

Tragic mum Sharon Burns (pictured) spoke for the first time this week about watching her daughter Kourtney (inset) die before her eyes, only realising hours later her two-year-old had meningitis.

Sharon took her daughter to Blackburn Royal Infirmary when Kourtney first became ill but claims she was told she only had a hip infection.

It was a day later that she realised something much more serious had a grip on her beloved daughter -- but despite the efforts of doctors in Blackburn and Manchester, Kourtney died within hours.

Sharon told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on Tuesday that had she known the symptoms of meningitis before she had taken her daughter into hospital she would have demanded she be tested immediately -- saving vital hours which, she believes, could have saved her life.

Today, the National Meningitis Trust backed those calls, saying it was important parents knew what to look for.

The organisation is urging people to trust their instincts if they suspect meningitis or septicaemia and to make a checklist of symptoms to describe to their doctor.

Chief executive Philip Kirby said: "Our helpline nurses suggest that people make a checklist of symptoms and to say that they are concerned about meningitis.

"The Christmas season sees demands on the health service increase and health care professionals need good, clear information in order to prioritise cases."

Since Kourtney's death, Blackburn Royal Infirmary has introduced more leaflets in casualty to ensure people can get access to details about the symptoms of meningitis.

Sharon, of Audley Range, Blackburn, said: "People need to know what to look for and that information wasn't available to me. Had it been, it would have been different.

"I only realised what the symptoms were when I read a leaflet a fortnight after Kourtney died. I realised that she had many of the symptoms linked with meningitis."

A spokesman for the organisation added: "We are pleased this point has been made. Early detection is so important if lives are to be saved."

Symptoms in adults include vomiting, fever, headache, stiff neck, aversion to light, drowsiness, joint pain and fitting.

Babies may also refuse feeds, vomit, have a high pitched cry, be fretful, have a blank, staring expression, be lethargic, become pale or blotchy.

In cases of septicaemia anyone may develop a rash. The rash looks like pin pricks at first, then becomes blotchy and resembles fresh bruising. It does not disappear when pressed with a glass or tumbler.