PARENTS are being reminded to be alert to the signs of meningitis in a campaign which is targeting mums and dads as they do their weekly shop.
Two families who lost children to the illness are supporting Meningitis UK's five-day awareness campaign in west Hull.
A large trailer has been parked at Asda in Hessle Road to highlight the symptoms and free wallet-sized cards with details on what to look out for will be available to shoppers throughout this week.
Nichola Coupland and Gary Norton who lost their six-month-old son, Ryan to meningitis in November and Claire Newman whose six-year-old son Liam died after contracting the disease in 2007, have welcomed the idea.
Nichola, 31, of Bilton Grange, said: "My advice to everyone is to trust their instincts.
"If you suspect anything is wrong then get your child checked out straight away and don't take any risks."
Speaking about Liam's illness, Claire, of north Hull, said: "Unfortunately, we didn't catch it in time.
"It was just like he had a cold until the latter stages of the disease, which is why it's so important people are vigilant to all the symptoms – not just the rash."
As reported in Monday's Mail, an East Riding primary school pupil was recently diagnosed with an infection that can cause meningitis but was said to be "recovering well".
Parents of youngsters at Walkington Primary School received letters notifying them that the child has "probable meningococcal infection".
There are about 3,000 cases of meningitis recorded in the UK every year.
Symptoms include a headache, stiff neck and a dislike of bright light as well as difficulty supporting your own weight, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and drowsiness.
Meningitis can affect anyone, however, babies, children under 5, young people aged 16 to 24 and the elderly are most at risk.
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