“My son Jacob contracted viral meningitis following his birth in August 2013 for reasons unknown.
He was in hospital for a period of nearly three weeks but recovered well.
“Eight weeks post birth, Jacob contracted bacterial meningitis. His symptoms were nothing other than a high temperature and not feeding. Only later did we find out that he had come into contact with another child, who was admitted that same night with meningitis.
“When Jacob was 18 months old he was again hospitalised with a viral form of meningitis. I’m so thankful and feel hugely fortunate that on each occasion he was checked out immediately and has no lasting damage. What scares me is that Jacob never had the traditional symptoms such as the rash. If we waited for the rash with the bacterial meningitis, Jacob may well have suffered a worse fate."