A mum has shared her terrifying ordeal after her daughter was struck down by meningitis despite being fully vaccinated.
Emma Alderman said her daughter Noa-Rose became critically ill after what began as a completely normal day.
The now seven-year-old complained of pain in her legs before falling asleep on the sofa.
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When Emma, 41, checked on her just 30 minutes later, she noticed she had a high temperature and a rash on her thigh.
“It started so suddenly,” Emma, from Cefn Fforest, South Wales, told Need To Know.
“She’s been playing in the park with my husband that morning and was absolutely fine.
“When she came home, she began complaining of pain in her legs.
“Noa-Rose fell asleep on the sofa and when I checked on her, she had developed a high temperature, her hands and feet were cold, and a rash had appeared on her thigh.
“It quickly spread to her shoulder and stomach.”
Emma and husband Scott, 47, rushed the tot to the hospital where she was diagnosed with Meningococcal Meningitis Type B, whooping cough and flu.
Doctors said that if Emma hadn’t acted so quickly, it could have been fatal.
Emma said: “Her little body was taking an enormous hit.
“We knew she was seriously unwell, but we never imagined meningitis.
“She had received all her vaccinations, including her booster just eight weeks earlier.
“When we heard the word meningitis, we were terrified.
“I knew how fast it can become fatal.
“Doctors told us that bringing her in when we did saved her life.
“If we had waited, she would not have survived.
“They didn’t say what caused it, just that it was an isolated case.”
Despite pulling through since the scary ordeal in December 2022, Noa-Rose has been left with long-term health complications including epilepsy.
She has two seizures a month.
The youngster is still undergoing tests and there is a possibility she may require brain surgery in the future.
Emma said: “She takes daily medication and life is very different for her now.
“She has frequent hospital appointments and her bedroom has a camera, a seizure mattress and epilepsy alarm.
“No child should be governed by a medication schedule.
“My message to anyone who suspects meningitis is simple, be decisive, go to hospital and get checked.
“Meningitis progresses incredibly fast and can be fatal within hours.
“Knowing the signs and symptoms can save a life.
“I absolutely know what the families in Kent are going through.
“My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the outbreak.
“We know only too well how stressful and uncertain this time is for them all.”
Since the ordeal, Emma has become a community volunteer, helping to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms.
The family has also taken part in a series of fundraising challenges.
Her husband climbed Mont Blanc, raising around £2,500, while Emma organised community events including a Halloween party and a festive fundraiser.
In their most recent challenge, Noa-Rose herself climbed Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, raising more than £5,000.
Emma added: “Throughout our journey, we have been supported by Meningitis Now.
“They have been helping families for 40 years and have contributed £13 million towards vaccine research.
“Their support has meant everything to us.
“We wanted to give something back.
“Our purpose is not only to raise funds, but to raise awareness, so no family ever has to experience what we did.”
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