Meningitis in your words

Caleb Catto McFadyen's story

  • Location: UK
  • Categories: Other bacterial meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type
  • Age: Baby 0-1
  • Relationship: Child
  • Outcome: Full recovery
  • After effects: Other
Caleb Catto McFadyen
Caleb Catto McFadyen - Meningitis in your words
Caleb was diagnosed at twelve weeks old with meningitis and sepsis. After two visits to the GP, we were sent to hospital and initially diagnosed as a throat infection and were going to be discharged with oral antibiotics while in A&E (accident and emergency), a registrar heard his cry and suspected meningitis. He had no obvious symptoms of meningitis. I will be forever thankful that. The right person was there at the right time.

As a parent it was the scariest thing I've experienced and the "what-ifs" still haunt me. I would advise anyone is unwell to get checked out even if you don't think it is anything.

Caleb went on to make a good recovery and is now a lively six year old. We attend check-ups for his heart due to an enlarged ventricle but hopefully it will resolve as he gets older. My advice to anyone is if you feel something is not right get it checked out! 

Caleb Catto McFadyen - Having a checkup in hospital bed
 

Erin Catto McFadyen
October 2023

Share the story