By Saul Cooke-Black

AS MENINGITIS Awareness Week is held across the UK, a Dursley mum has spoken of how her four-month baby was struck by the disease.

Aurelie Brunet is warning other parents to look out for the symptoms of meningitis and trust their instincts.

When her son, Mattia, now six, was just four months old he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.

"His symptoms began and got rapidly worse in just a few hours," said Aurelie.

"He had a high temperature, diarrhoea, he was whingeing in a way I’d not heard before, and then I noticed a purple mark on his belly.

"My husband Nick and I got him straight to hospital and by the time we arrived Mattia was covered in purple marks.

"His breathing was uneven and he was turning blue."

When he arrived at hospital a doctor started treating Mattia for meningitis.

He had to stay in hospital for several weeks but was eventually given the all clear.

"Recovering from this shocking experience has been a very long process for Mattia and the whole family," added Aurelie.

"One of his legs is shorter than the other due to deep scarring from sepsis but we are so lucky he’s still with us.

"He is a lively, cheeky six-year-old who does everything his brother does."

Aurelie is warning parents to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis.

"This disease can strike quickly and have devastating consequences," she added.

Meningitis Awareness Week, from September 19 to 25, is run by the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

The charity estimates that there have been on average around 3,200 cases of meningitis and septicaemia every year in the UK.

They are deadly diseases that can strike without warning, killing one in ten, and leaving a quarter of survivors with life altering after-effects ranging from deafness and brain damage to loss of limbs.

Babies, toddlers and young adults are most at risk.

MRF chief executive Vinny Smith said: “We are so grateful to Aurelie for raising awareness in Gloucestershire during Meningitis Awareness Week.

"MRF funds vital scientific research into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia but there are still some forms of the disease which are not covered by vaccines so it is vital that people are aware of the symptoms.

"We encourage parents to get medical help if they are concerned about their child, to be vigilant, and to return to a health professional if they have been sent home but symptoms progress.”

Visit meningitis.org/maw2016 for information about the awareness week and symptoms of meningitis.