Archie, 5, walks again weeks after meningitis agony
LITTLE BATTLER SHOCKS DOCTORS WHO SAY THEY EXPECTED HIM TO STILL BE IN AN INDUCED COMA
THIS is the amazing moment a fiveyear-old boy takes his first steps – just weeks after he was struck down with Meningitis B.
Little Archie Musgrave’s remarkable fight against the potentiallydeadly disease has baffled doctors who have told family from experience the youngster should still be an induced coma, which he came out of after only four days.
The youngster’s traumatic ordeal began on March 19 when he returned home from school complaining of sore legs and a headache.
He was taken to Wigan Infirmary where it was initially thought he had a viral infection, with Archie’s parents being told to bring him back if he got any worse. Archie battling meningitis in hospital, left, and with mum Kate
Overnight he continued being sick and by the early hours of the next morning, it was obvious he was seriously ill.
He was then rushed to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital by the emergency services where he has remained since.
Mum Kate Musgrave, 29, from Hindley, Wigan, has barely left Archie’s side and spoke proudly of her ‘little fighter,’ who has now taken a few steps with the help of a frame.
She said: “It was awful, the worst time of our lives. It was just a shock. You see things like this on TV but you don’t ever think your child is going to get it.”
Thankfully Archie has done incredibly well to battle the appalling disease, making massive progress.
Kate added: “He’s doing as well as he can be. The doctors and nurses have been amazed – they said some children who have meningitis B are still in a coma at this stage. He amazes us every day with the little steps he is taking. Everything is under control and he is doing well.
“He’s able to sit up now for a bit but then he wants to lie down again because he is still quite weak.
“He’s trying to take a few steps on his little frame.
“He can’t really do it yet but it just shows how much he is fighting and how strong he is in trying to get where he wants to be.
“He’s putting all his might into this. We’re just so proud and overwhelmed with all the support.”
Kate has spoken of the incredible speed with which Archie’s condition deteriorated and emphasised the importance of knowing the signs of Meningitis B.
Symptoms include high fever with cold hands and feet; vomiting; becoming drowsy, floppy and unresponsive; grunting or breathing rapidly; convulsions or seizures and a red rash.
Kate is also urging parents whose children will not have received a jab as babies to ensure they are protected against the disease.
She said: “I cannot express enough how important this is.
“Children are only immunised against it automatically if they are born after 2015.
“If they were born before that they need to go and get the jab done. I want everybody to know about this.”
Hundreds of Wiganers, including a number of rugby league stars, have rallied around the family on social media using the hashtag #Pray4Archie.
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges – the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
The meningitis B vaccine is being offered at GP surgeries along with other routine vaccinations to babies born after July 1, 2015.