Nitrate accumulation in plants is a potential danger to grazing animals. It can cause 2 different disorders: nitrate poisoning; nitrite poisoning; Nitrates may cause inflammation of the gut when eaten in large quantities, but their main importance is as a source of nitrite Nitrate poisoning can occur commonly in cattle raised in North Dakota and other areas of the western Great Plains. Poisoning is usually associated with animals ingesting forage or feed witha high nitrate content. Sheep and cattle are more susceptible to poisoning than nonruminant species because microbes in their digestive tract favor the conversion of nitrate to nitrite Clinical signs of nitrite poisoning usually appear acutely due to tissue hypoxia and hypotension resulting from vasodilation. Rapid, weak heartbeat with decreased body temperature, muscular tremors, weakness, and ataxia are early signs of toxicosis at methemoglobinemia levels of 30%-40%
The most common symptom of blue baby syndrome is a blue discoloration of the skin around the mouth, hands, and feet. This is also known as cyanosis and is a sign that the child or person is not.. Nitrate poisoning can be identified using a blood test for either nitrate or methaemoglobin (the product formed when nitrite reacts with the red blood cells). In severe cases and at PM the methaemoglobin is visible as high levels in the blood result in the blood becoming chocolate in colour Treatment Remove the source of nitrate
Symptoms of nitrate exposure. The telltale sign of excessive nitrate exposure is a bluish tinge to the skin, particularly among infants. This condition can also cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, headaches, rapid heart rate and low blood pressure. Nitrate poisoning is a health emergency The greatest source of nitrates in water is from private wells that are not tested regularly. In young infants, symptoms of methemoglobinemia may include poor feeding, low tone, and delay of developmental milestones. The infant may appear bluish in areas of thin skin such as lips, earlobes and nailbeds
In simplest terms, ingesting excessive amounts of nitrates can negatively affect the blood counts of very young babies. The medical term for this is methemoglobinemia. Babies suffering from methemoglobinemia will show periodic blueing of the mouth, hands, and feet. Additionally, babies may become more tired than usual or have trouble breathing It occurs due to nitrate or nitrite poisoning and is common in babies less than six months old. Underdeveloped fecal organisms in babies convert nitrate to nitrite in the gastrointestinal tract. Nitrates are not toxic to the body but if converted into nitrite, it may lead to blue baby syndrome
Nitrate toxicity causes methemoglobinemia, which is a wholly preventable disease. Infants less than 4 months of age are at particular risk of nitrate toxicity from contaminated water. The widespread use of nitrate fertilizers increases the risk of well-water contami nation in rural areas Nitrite Poisoning is just as deadly as its twin; nitrates. Buy the book. Symptoms; enlarged blood vessels or veining throughout the body including the fins; spitting; spasms. Nitrates evil twin, nitrite doesn't make its presence known until long after the fact, unlike nitrates, but when it does, the damage is often more severe due to sudden injury of the powerful toxin Babies can become seriously ill if exposed to nitrate levels above 10 mg/L and are prone to nitrate-induced methemoglobinemia. Not only babies, but also adults with reduced stomach acidity, people suffering from stomach conditions such as gastric ulcers, pernicious anemia, adrenal insufficiency, gastritis, or gastric carcinoma are susceptible. The symptoms of poisoning depend on the substance and the amount you take in. Some poisonous substances, such as carbon monoxide, interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen.Others, such as bleach, burn and irritate the digestive system Symptoms of nitrate poisoning include drowsiness and weakness followed by muscular tremors, increased heart and respiratory rates, staggering gait and recumbency (inability to stand upright without support). Sub-lethal doses can cause abortion and reduced milk production. Animals suspected of having nitrate poisoning should be kept stress free.
Nitrate poisoning can be differentiated from prussic acid poisoning by distinct blood and mucous membrane colors. Symptoms of Poisoning Symptoms of lethal nitrate poisoning include labored breathing, frothing at the mouth, rapid pulse, weakness, diarrhea, frequent urination, incoordination and convulsions. Death may occur in three to four hours Infants under 12 months of age that eat foods high in nitrate or drink water with nitrate in it are more likely to have methemoglobinemia. Methemoglobinemia can be also caused by certain medications (e.g., benzocaine, dapsone) and chemicals (e.g., aniline, naphthalene) Nitrate poisoning occurs most often in cattle and less often in other ruminants, but it can occur in horses, dogs and cats. It is seldom reported in swine. Clinical diagnosis, treatment, confirmation and prevention of nitrate poisoning is presented with cattle as the principle species; other species will be mentioned where applicable Food poisoning is a food-borne illness that occurs due to the ingestion of food or drinks contaminated by harmful bacteria, viruses, and other germs ().Upon ingestion of spoiled/contaminated food or formula, the pathogens enter the baby's digestive tract and irritate and inflame it, leading to an infection.. Depending on the pathogen present and the extent of infection, food poisoning in.
Symptoms. Symptoms of lethal nitrate poisoning include laboured breathing, frothing at the mouth, rapid pulse, weakness, diarrhea, frequent urination, muscle tremors, incoordination and convulsions, collapse and death. Death may occur in three to four hours. Post-mortem examination reveals dark, chocolate-coloured blood Prussic acid poisoning can be treated effectively if the treatment is administered immediately after the first poisoning symptoms appear. Two common treatments are intravenous injection (125 to 250 ml) of 1.2% sodium nitrate or 7.4% sodium thiosulfate Understand how cattle can develop nitrate toxicity or poisoning. Nitrate toxicity is basically a form of anti-quality factor that is associated with animals consuming plants that have a substance that creates health issues in them, just like with bloat is an anti-quality factor, or sweet clover poisoning, or grass/winter tetany. With nitrate toxicity, plants have to be injured by frost, hail. Food poisoning is the situation where our body is attacked by a bacterium, a virus or another germ through the food we consume. And, when it is about babies, we must not ignore the signs because food poisoning in babies can be fatal. In most cases of babies, this situation heals itself and no medication is needed
Methemoglobinemia in an Infant -- Wisconsin, 1992 . Methemoglobinemia among infants is a rare and potentially fatal condition caused by genetic enzyme deficiencies, metabolic acidosis, and exposure to certain drugs and chemicals. The most widely recognized environmental cause of this problem is ingestion of nitrate-containing water Nitrate poisoning in cattle is caused by the consumption of an excessive amount of nitrate or nitrite from grazing crops, hay, silage, weeds, drinking water, lubricating oil, fertilizer, etc. Excessive fertilization with poultry litter or animal manure is the most common cause of nitrate buildup in plants Symptoms of nitrite poisoning start within a range of 20-180 minutes, most prominent being nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue [2]. Marked cyanosis caused by methemoglobinemia manifests on the lips, fingernails and skin, followed by tachycardia and loss of consciousness [21]. As the percentage of methemoglobin rises, further deterioration of clinical signs and symptoms are seen and can.
NITRATE TOXICITY The primary nutrient form of nitrogen in most soils is nitrate which is a normal compound found in many plants. It can be found normally in various grazing and forage crops, soil, and water. Under certain circumstances, nitrates can accumulate to abnormally high levels and become very toxic to ruminants Symptoms of Nitrate Toxicity The most noticeable symptom of nitrate/nitrite poisoning is a bluish skin colouring, particularly around the eyes and mouth (the so-called blue baby) known as cyanosis. An infant with bluish skin should be taken to a doctor if excess nitrate intake is a possibility so they can be tested for nitrate poisoning The risk of toxicity depends upon the amount of nitrate in the feed, how fast the feed that contains nitrate is consumed, how fast the nitrate in the feed is released in the rumen, the energy content of the diet and whether the animals (i.e., rumen microbes) are adapted to nitrates.. Formulas for Converting Methods of Reporting.; Potassium Nitrate = Nitrate Nitrogen × 7.2 A baby with these symptoms should be taken to an emergency medical facility immediately. The doctor will take a blood sample to determine if the baby is suffering from nitrate poisoning. Nitrate poisoning can be treated, and in most cases the baby makes a full recovery Nitrites represent a major toxicity hazard to children aged from 0 to 3 due to their higher sensitivity to nitrite and nitrate poisoning. The reason is that babies have a higher stomach pH than adults (pH 4 vs. pH 2); also, the normal intestinal flora of children at that age contain more nitrate-reducing bacteria (with NADH- and NADPH-dependent.
A baby with these symptoms should be taken to an emergency medical facility immediately. The doctor will take a blood sample to be sure the baby is suffering from nitrate poisoning. The blood sample of an affected baby is a chocolate brown instead of a healthy red. Nitrate poisoning can be treated, and in most case Parents and caregivers should also be aware of the signs of mercury poisoning in children and call a doctor if a child or infant displays any symptoms. Last medically reviewed on January 9, 2018. Infant Nitrate Exposure Infants are exposed to nitrates when they drink contaminated well water or when contaminated well water is used to make infant formula or baby food. Nitrates in water are not significantly absorbed through the skin. Breastfeeding is safe even if a mother drinks water polluted with nitrates The danger of excessive nitrates in aquariums is often misunderstood by aquarium hobbyists. Although far less toxic than ammonia or nitrite, high nitrate levels—called nitrate poisoning or nitrate shock, can also kill aquarium fish. Chemically, nitrates are similar to nitrites, in that both consist of molecules of oxygen and nitrogen, but nitrate is a less reactive compound
Newborns can become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 during childbirth or by exposure to sick caregivers after delivery. If you have COVID-19 or are waiting for test results due to symptoms, it's recommended during hospitalization after childbirth that you wear a cloth face mask and have clean hands when caring for your newborn Lead poisoning can have permanent effects on a child. If you're pregnant, you can pass on lead poisoning to your baby simply by swallowing an item that contains lead or breathing in lead dust Nitrate poisoning is a continuing problem among infants in the United States. Most reported cases have been linked to the use of contaminated well water for preparation of infant formula Signs and symptoms. Acute symptoms of copper poisoning by ingestion include vomiting, hematemesis (vomiting of blood), hypotension (low blood pressure), melena (black tarry feces), coma, jaundice (yellowish pigmentation of the skin), and gastrointestinal distress. Individuals with glucose-6-phosphate deficiency may be at increased risk of hematologic effects of copper
Nitrate poisoning can also cause abortions. The treatment is intravenous methylene blue in a 1 or 2 percent aqueous solution at a rate of 1-2 mg/kg BW. In severe cases, up to 10 mg/kg BW can be administered. Tissues of treated animals will be stained and the urine will appear dark green. Treated animals should not be slaughtered for 180 days Health effects and symptoms in infants: Infants under six months of age are at risk of nitrate poisoning, called methemoglobine-mia. Toxic effects occur when bacteria in the infant stomach convert nitrate to more toxic nitrite. When nitrite enters the bloodstream, it interferes with the body's ability to carry oxygen to the body tissues The acceptable daily intake (ADI) tells you how much of a specific food additive you can safely eat each day, throughout your life. Vegetables are New Zealanders' largest source of nitrates. Processed meats account for less than 10% of total dietary exposure to nitrites. The average adult New Zealander eats about: 18% of the ADI of nitrates Short-term exposure to drinking water with a nitrate level above the health standard is a potential health problem especially for babies. Babies drink large quantities of water considering their body weight, especially if water is used to mix powdered or concentrated recipes or juices Causes of Nitrate Poisoning. Under normal conditions, nitrate ingested by ruminant livestock, like cattle, sheep and goats, is converted to ammonia and then bacterial protein in the rumen. The steps of conversion in this process are as follows: Nitrate (NO3) —-> Nitrite (NO2) —-> Ammonia (NH3) —-> —-Bacterial Protein—-
Studies in people who ingested large amounts of thallium over a short time have reported vomiting, diarrhea, temporary hair loss, and effects on the nervous system, lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. It has caused death. It is not known what the effects are from ingesting low levels of thallium over a long time The most significant health effect associated with nitrate ingestion is methemoglobinemia in infants under 6 months old. Methemoglobinemia is often called blue baby syndrome because the affected infant's fingers, toes, arms and legs begin to turn blue. This condition results from high nitrite levels in the blood
Although most of the body's potassium resides within cells, this is very difficult to measure, so blood levels are measured instead 1.. The normal blood potassium is a range from about 3.6 to 5.0 meq/L, with the exact range varying from lab to lab.A potassium level above the normal range is known as hyperkalemia 6.. Potassium overdose will generally cause no symptoms until the blood. Lead poisoning causes a variety of symptoms, including abnormal behaviour which varies from person to person, while time of exposure plays an important role (Kosnett, 2005). There are also studies which show no symptoms of lead poisoning even with elevated levels of lead in the body (Mycyk et al ., 2005 ) Tony Coveny, PhD - Food Poisoning Attorney. Nitrites are used in cured meats to prevent botulism, a lethal toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum that can stop nerves from signaling and can lead to paralysis in the lungs and muscles.. The CDC indicates that drinking of water from private wells surrounded by permeable soil combined with nitrate intake from the diet may lead to overexposure. Nitrite poisoning follows closely on the heels of elevated ammonia as a major killer of aquarium fish. Just when you think you are home free after losing half your fish to ammonia poisoning, the nitrite level rises and puts your fish at risk again.Anytime ammonia levels are elevated, elevated nitrite will soon follow All infants less than 6 months of age are at risk of nitrate toxicity, but premature babies and babies with other health problems are more sensitive than healthy infants. An infant suffering from blue baby syndrome needs immediate medical care because the condition can lead to coma and death if it is not treated promptly
dogs and lunch meats (4-7). Nitrates have also been detected in fruits and vegetables (6, 8-10). Exposure to nitrates and nitrites at levels above health-based risk values (see Section VI in this Chemical Summary) has been reported to have adverse health effects on infants and children. The health effect o Calves affected by nitrate poisoning in the last three months of gestation are usually born one to four weeks premature, and most appear normal but die within 18 to 24 hours of birth. Newborn calves that survive, but are affected by nitrate poisoning, may have convulsions and seizures. Acute poisoning Drinking-water exposure to a mixture of nitrate and low-dose atrazine metabolites and small-for-gestational age (SGA) babies: a historic cohort study. Environ Res 122:58-64, PMID: 23340115 , 10.1016/j.envres.2012.12.007 If high nitrate levels in the water are causing blue baby syndrome, the doctor will likely need to consult with the local poison control center or toxicologist to help figure out the best way to. Infants convert approximately double, or 10% of ingested nitrate to nitrite compared to 5% conversion in older children and adults. Nitrite in the bloodstream is involved in the oxidation of haemoglobin (Hb) to methaemoglobin (metHb) , the Fe2+ present in the haem group is oxidized to its Fe3+ form, and the remaining nitrite binds firmly to.
Methaemoglobinaemia is the principal and constant feature of nitrate/nitrite poisoning. Clinical symptoms may include: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, fall in blood pressure, tachycardia, collapse, bluish-grey cyanosis, hyperventilation, stupor, convulsions, coma and death. 9.1.2 Inhalation No data available. 9.1.3 Skin. presenceofnitrate.Thefollowinglist, compiledfromseveralsources,includes plantsthathavebeeninvolvedincasesof poisoning,andalsomanythathavebeen. The symptoms of poisoning will depend on the type of poison and the amount taken in, but general things to look out for include: vomiting. stomach pains. confusion. drowsiness and fainting fits. If a child suddenly develops these symptoms, they may have been poisoned, particularly if they're drowsy and confused
Carbon monoxide poisoning is an illness that occurs from breathing in carbon monoxide (CO) gas. It's a medical emergency and needs treatment right away. CO is a colorless, odorless gas made when fuel burns. Fuels include wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, and kerosene. Breathing in carbon monoxide fumes prevents the body from using oxygen normally Signs and Symptoms of Fluoride Poisoning. White specks or streak to yellow-brown discoloration of the teeth. Pitting of the teeth. Damage of tooth enamel - teeth are more prone to cavities. Increased salivation (hypersalivation). Nausea with or without vomiting. Difficulty swallowing ( dysphagia ). Abdominal pain Symptoms usually improve significantly between 3 and 4 months, and most babies are over colic by the time they're 5 months old. Learn more: Colic. Stomach flu. Symptoms: Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common signs of gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu. Causes: Stomach flu is caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria. Your.
Nitrates in water supplies in concentrations over 45 mg/1 (as NO 3) have led to numerous cases of infant methomoglobinemia, particularly in infants up to six months of age, whose main liquid intake is powdered milk formula made up with tap water containing high concentrations of nitrates.Other possible negative health effects associated with the ingestion of nitrates in water for extended. Symptoms may take a long time to appear, but at toxic levels, lead poisoning can affect your child's language, attention and even IQ. Lead can affect people of all ages, but children aged 6 and younger are especially at risk, in part because their growing bodies absorb more lead. Lead poisoning is a totally preventable disease Nitrate Toxicity Under normal conditions, nitrate ingested by ruminant livestock like cattle, sheep and goats is converted to ammonia in the rumen by bacteria. The steps of conversion in this process are as follows: Nitrate (NO3) —› Nitrite (NO2) ——› Ammonia (NH3) ——› Amino Acid ——› Protei
Symptoms of nitrate poisoning develop within 6-8 hours after consuming a toxic dose of nitrate. Stress or forced exercise increases the severity of the poisoning signs and hastens death. Mucous membranes show a brownish discoloration when 20% or more methemoglobin has formed. Venous blood also has a chocolate brown color Nitrite poisoning may even result in the death of your fish. Ammonia is converted into nitrites by good bacteria called Nitrosomonas. Nitrite is then converted to nitrate. Nitrates are the final product in the reduction of ammonia. Nitrates are generally removed from the pond environment by plants Young monogastric animals, however, are similar to human babies in that they are highly susceptible to nitrate poisoning until their digestive systems develop. Amongst all the monogastric animals horses are the most susceptible to nitrate poisoning because they have a large cecum which acts as a rumen, converting nitrate to nitrite Regression analysis of SGA by mixture exposure at second trimester was subsequently conducted. Results: We included 11,446 woman-neonate couples of whom 37.0% were exposed to pesticides, while 99.9% of the women were exposed to nitrates. Average nitrate concentration was from 0 to 63.30 mg/L Methemoglobinemia is acquired most commonly after ingestion or inhalation of an oxidizing agent, such as nitrates or nitrites. Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite are used for their antimicrobial effects to preserve and cure meat, fish, and certain cheeses. They also are used commercially to prevent corrosion of pipes
Infants are at high risk of complications from nitrates and nitrites because of their young digestive systems. A baby has a higher pH inside his stomach. When he ingests nitrates, a higher pH leads to a larger conversion of the nitrates to nitrites. More nitrites in the stomach increase his chance of developing methemoglobinemia Greer FR, Shannon M, Infant methemoglobinemia: the role of dietary nitrate in food and water.Pediatrics. 2005 Sep;116 (3):784-6. Two experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition warn that infants for whom formula may be prepared with well water remain a high-risk group for nitrate poisoning and recommend the testing of. Depending on the pathogen present and the extent of infection, food poisoning in babies can manifest mild to severe symptoms. However, due to their developing immune system, children under five years are more susceptible to severe symptoms and complications ().Therefore, knowing about food poisoning in detail is imperative for parents
diagnosisof either nitrate or urea poisoning. Excess ammoniain the rumen, which occurs in urea toxicity andmay occur in nitrate toxicity, may prevent the absorptionof magnesiumand cause grass tetany. A complexchemical salt is known to form at about pH 6.2to 6.4 when magnesiumis present with ammoniaand phosphorus.This insoluble sal Silver nitrate is mainly considered a poison with ingestion due to the corrosive nature of the compound. If ingested, silver nitrate can cause potentially fatal gastroenteritis and gastrointestinal bleed. In toxicity studies, 29mg/kg administered to humans via an unknown route caused no fatalities, however 50mg/kg given orally to mice was. The correct term for nitrate poisoning in newborn infants is methemoglobinemia also known as a blue baby syndrome. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which too little oxygen is delivered to your cells. Oxygen is carried through your bloodstream by hemoglobin, a protein that's attached to your red blood cells Infant methemoglobinemia was first linked to nitrates in drinking water by Hunter Comly in the United States in 1945. He reported on two cases and concluded that methemoglobinemia may occur in an infant after ingestion of water high in nitrates, especially if the infant was suffering from a gastrointestinal disturbance ().Fan et al. (1987) have noted since then that microbially poor water (i.e. A study in the state of California examined the potential association between maternal exposure to nitrates in drinking water and diet before pregnancy and the risk of neural tube defects in the babies of the mothers. The infants with neural tube defects, both live and stillborn births, born between 1989 and 1991 were selected from California's.
nitrate feeds. Symptoms of methemoglobinemia in animals include lack of coordination, labored breathing, blue membranes, vomiting, and abortions. Dairy cows may produce less milk without show-ing any physical symptoms. If animals show signs of nitrate poisoning or you suspect a prob-lem, consult a veterinarian to determine i Infants fed commercially prepared infant foods generally are not at risk of nitrate poisoning. However, home-prepared infant foods from vegetables (eg, spinach, beets, green beans, squash, carrots) should be avoided until infants are 3 months or older, although there is no nutritional indication to add complementary foods to the diet of the. The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within one to two days of eating contaminated food, although they may start at any point between a few hours and several weeks later. The main symptoms include: feeling sick (nausea) vomiting. diarrhoea, which may contain blood or mucus. stomach cramps and abdominal pain Check the nitrate levels in forage to avoid nitrate poisoning. Nitrogen is one of those good guy/bad guy deals. Nitrogen is a common and important element, and one of the building blocks of protein. Indeed, without it, your cattle would have a much harder time processing the rough forages they consume. Plants take up nitrogen from soil in the.
Nitrate Poisoning E. I. Whitehead A. L. Moxon High Nitrate Waters May Cause Methemoglobinemia in Infants _____ 13 Food Poisonings Due to Nitrate or Nitrite ----- 13 Some Factors Affecting the Nitrate Content of Plants----- 14 The characteristic symptoms of nitrate poisoning have been record. [Nitrate poisoning in infants] Swiatkowska A. Polski Tygodnik Lekarski (Warsaw, Poland : 1960), 01 Jul 1980, 35(27): 1035-1037 Language: pol PMID: 6999477 . Review. Share this article Share with email Share with twitter Share with linkedin Share with facebook. Abstract . No abstract provided. Similar Articles. Betta with nitrate poisoning - help! My betta is sluggish at the bottom of the tank tonight suddenly, and my nitrates seemed to be reading at the max level the test records, 160 ppm. Please help with any tips if you can, I really hope he pulls through, my child will flip out It is difficult to determine the toxicity of nitrate in animals because it depends on the rate at which the substance is consumed. A few hundred milligrams of nitrate may cause poisoning if consumed in a few hours. But spread over a whole day, 1,000 mg nitrate may cause no signs of toxicity. Common symptoms include abdomina Nitrate poisoning can be rapidly fatal. When nitrate poisoning is suspected, a veterinarian should be called immediately to confirm the tentative diagnosis and to start treatment. Symptoms. Muscle tremors. Weakness. Collapse. Frequent urination. Diarrhea. Colic. Ataxia. Blue-brown discoloration of mucosal membranes. Increased heart rate
Lead poisoning happens when too much lead gets into the body through the skin or from breathing, eating, or drinking. When lead gets in the body, it can travel and cause harm wherever it ends up. Lead is toxic to everyone, but unborn babies and young children (6 months to 3 years) are at greatest. Symptoms, such as shortness of breath and blueness of the skin, can occur rapidly over a period of days. Read more about Nitrate from the CDC. Infants are at greatest risk for illness from exposure to high levels of nitrate. Short-term: Excessive levels of nitrate in drinking water have caused serious illness and sometimes death The prominent symptom of nitrate poisoning is a blue skin color around the eyes and mouth (babies with methemoglobinemia were called blue babies.) Respiratory symptoms, headaches, and fatigue are often noticed. Methylene blue may be used as a treatment, as have oxygen chambers. According to the CDC, nitrates we eat or drink usually aren. Classical acute cyanide poisoning is when CN-binds to, and inhibits, the ferric (Fe 3+) heme moeity form of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (synonyms: aa 3, complex IV, cytochrome A3, EC 1.9.3.1).This blocks the fourth step in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (reduction of O 2 to H 2 O), resulting in the arrest of aerobic metabolism, systemic hypoxia, and death from histotoxic anoxia Symptoms can appear in any order. Early symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia (the blood poisoning form of the disease) can be like other childhood illnesses, but a baby will usually get ill quickly and get worse fast. Trust your instincts. If you think your baby has meningitis or septicaemia get medical help immediately