Parents are being warned to be on the lookout for the signs of a killer disease after a Pembroke Dock mother recalled the terrifying moment she found out her baby had meningitis.

Lucinda Brain vividly recalls receiving the news that all parents dread, when she learned her six-month-old son Billy had the disease earlier this year.

She is now speaking out in support of Meningitis UK’s ‘Look Out 4 Meningitis, Look Out 4 Others’ winter awareness campaign.

Billy initially had a high temperature which resembled a bug his older brother Harry had been suffering from. A few days passed and Lucinda visited her GP, who said Billy was not ill enough to take to hospital.

As Billy’s condition gradually worsened during the day being sick several times and becoming unresponsive, Lucinda called an ambulance.

Lucinda said: “He looked blank, not even blinking when we moved our hands in front of his face.

“He was fitting and they initially thought it was febrile convulsions.”

Billy was treated with Diazepan to stop the seizures. He continued to show all the previous symptoms, but by this point the light was hurting his eyes and his fontanelle was bulging.

Doctors began to treat him for meningitis with intravenous antibiotics.

A lumber puncture revealed Billy had pneumococcal meningitis, the most deadly form of the disease, but thanks to quick diagnosis and treatment, he was able to leave hospital after eight days.

Classic symptoms of meningitis are a headache, stiff neck and a dislike of bright light. Other symptoms can include difficulty supporting own weight, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and drowsiness.

“We realise how fortunate we are to be spending Billy’s first Christmas with him this year and are so thankful to all the staff at the hospital who have ensured we’ve got our happy, smiling, little boy back,” Lucinda added.

To request a poster or a free symptoms information packs to help raise awareness, call 0117 373 7373 or visit meningitisUK.org.