Little Grayson Thorburn was hospitalised twice within weeks of being born.
The tot battled two serious illnesses and had to go through the ordeal of a lumbar puncture before he was diagnosed with viral meningitis.
But the “hardy” six-month-old smiled through it all and is looking forward to his first Christmas at home in Lochmaben with mum Cassie, dad Dade and big brother Hugo, three.
Cassie said: “He was only three-weeks-old when he caught RSV and wasn’t long back home from hospital when he was diagnosed with viral meningitis.
“It was an awful time, and you feel totally helpless when your new baby is so ill like that.”
Cassie, 37, added: “Just three weeks after he was born on June 1, I noticed he was having problems with his breathing and my friend who is a paediatric nurse told me to take him to hospital.
“He was diagnosed with RSV, which I wasn’t aware you could get in the summer and was more of a winter illness. He was on oxygen and it was awful.”
Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants. Grayson was kept in hospital for a week before being allowed home.
But just three weeks later, Cassie was forced to phone 111 when he struggled with his breathing again and had a high temperature.
The tot was put on a course of antibiotics and tests including a lumbar puncture were carried out which identified he had viral meningitis.
Anyone can get viral meningitis but it is most common in babies and young children. The symptoms can be similar to those of bacterial meningitis, so it is essential to seek urgent medical help if there are any concerns.
Although most people will make a full recovery, the process can be slow. Some can be left with serious and life-changing after-effects.
Thankfully, wee Grayson was soon on the mend.
“He’s a hardy wee thing and an utter delight, and we can’t wait to give him a lovely first Christmas.”
