How can I tell the chickenpox rash apart from the meningitis rash?
Symptoms of meningitis which are not common in chickenpox include: • red spots which develop into large purple marks • vomiting • over-sensitivity to light (less common in younger children) • stiff neck/body (less common in younger children) • extreme shivering • tense or bulging soft spot • high-pitched crying • drowsiness • cold limbs, shaking and jerky movement • bruises under the skin • seizures • glass tumbler test – marks do not fade when pressed with a glass tumbler If your child has any of these symptoms you should take them to A&E immediately.