Heartwarming pictures show the moment a five-year-old boy defied doctors to take his first steps - just days after being stuck down by deadly meningitis

  • Archie Musgrave was in an induced coma just four days before taking the steps
  • Doctors initially dismissed his headache and aching limbs as a simple infection
  • Archie has made remarkable progress but still requires a feeding tube
  • The 'little fighter' is expected to remain in hospital for the foreseeable future
  • His mother Kate Musgrave, 29, is urging parents to vaccinate their children 

Photos show the moment a five-year-old boy took his first steps just weeks after being struck down with the life-threatening Meningitis B infection.

Archie Musgrave's remarkable progress has baffled doctors who expected the youngster to still be an induced coma, which he came out of after only four days.

The youngster, from Hindley, Greater Manchester, who was initially sent home from hospital when doctors dismissed his headache and aching limbs as a simple viral infection, is managing to keep fluids down but still requires a feeding tube. 

Archie, who is only able to walk with the assistance of a frame, has also found the strength to sit up in his hospital bed, where he is expected to stay for the foreseeable future.

Describing him as a 'little fighter', Archie's mother Kate Musgrave, 29, who has barely left his side throughout the ordeal, said: 'He amazes us every day with the little steps he is taking. He's putting all his might into this.'

Ms Musgrave is speaking out to urge parents whose children have not been vaccinated against Meningitis B to get the jab. 

The vaccine is only routinely offered at GP surgeries to babies born after July 1 2015.

Photos show the moment five-year-old Archie Musgrave took his first steps, with the help of a frame, just weeks after being struck down with the life-threatening Meningitis B infection

Photos show the moment five-year-old Archie Musgrave took his first steps, with the help of a frame, just weeks after being struck down with the life-threatening Meningitis B infection

Archie took the steps just four days after coming out of an induced coma

Archie took the steps just four days after coming out of an induced coma

Archie's mother Kate Musgrave (pictured before he became ill) described the ordeal as 'awful' and the 'worst time' of her life. She added you do not expect your child to become so unwell 

Archie's mother Kate Musgrave (pictured before he became ill) described the ordeal as 'awful' and the 'worst time' of her life. She added you do not expect your child to become so unwell 

A social-media campaign, backed by rugby league players, is wishing him a speedy recovery

A social-media campaign, backed by rugby league players, is wishing him a speedy recovery

WHAT IS MENINGITIS?

Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Anyone can be affected but at-risk people include those aged under five, 15-to-24 and over 45.

People exposed to passive smoking or with suppressed immune systems, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy, are also more at risk.

The most common forms of meningitis are bacterial and viral.

Symptoms for both include:

  • Pale, blotchy skin with a rash that does not fade when compressed with a glass
  • Stiff neck
  • Dislike of bright lights  
  • Fever, and cold hands and feet
  • Vomiting
  • Drowsiness 
  • Severe headache 
Headache is one of the main symptoms

Headache is one of the main symptoms

Bacterial meningitis 

Bacterial meningitis requires urgent treatment at hospital with antibiotics.  

Some 10 per cent of bacterial cases are fatal.

Of those who survive, one in three suffer complications, including brain damage and hearing loss. 

Limb amputation is a potential side effect if septicaemia (blood poisoning) occurs.

Vaccines are available against certain strains of bacteria that cause meningitis, such as tuberculosis.

Viral meningitis 

Viral is rarely life-threatening but can cause long-lasting effects, such as headaches, fatigue and memory problems. 

Thousands of people suffer from viral meningitis every year in the UK. 

Treatment focuses on hydration, painkillers and rest.

Although ineffective, antibiotics may be given when patients arrive at hospital just in case they are suffering from the bacterial form of the disease. 

Source: Meningitis Now 

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'It was the worst time of our lives'  

Archie's symptoms began when he returned from school on March 19. 

Speaking of her son's illness, Ms Musgrave said: 'It all happened so quickly. Archie kept telling me he had sore legs and a headache and just from knowing the signs of things I said to my husband that we had to get him to hospital.' 

He was taken to Wigan Infirmary before being sent home, with his parents being told to bring him back if he got any worse.

Ms Musgrave said: 'When he was being sick during the night I thought it was a bug but then first thing in the morning I noticed a little rash, like a purple bruise.

'I knew that wasn't right. I looked again at his body and the rash was coming out.

'We got him back to A&E and doctors and nurses were all rushing in to treat him.' 

An ambulance rushed Archie to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where he has remained since.      

Speaking of the ordeal, Ms Musgrave added: '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.'

Archie with rugby league Wigan Warriors players Shaun Oloughlin, Ben Flower, Joe Burgess and Sam Powell. He has been in hospital since being rushed in on March 20

Archie with rugby league Wigan Warriors players Shaun Oloughlin, Ben Flower, Joe Burgess and Sam Powell. He has been in hospital since being rushed in on March 20

Archie (pictured with his grandmother Cathy, 58) is able to sit up for short periods of time 

Archie (pictured with his grandmother Cathy, 58) is able to sit up for short periods of time 

The youngster (pictured with his grandmother Ann, 54) is still weak and being fed via a tube

The youngster (pictured with his grandmother Ann, 54) is still weak and being fed via a tube

Archie's symptoms started as a rash, which has caused his skin to turn red and peel

Archie's symptoms started as a rash, which has caused his skin to turn red and peel

One of the youngster's toes has turned black. It is unclear if he will require amputations

One of the youngster's toes has turned black. It is unclear if he will require amputations

'It shows how much he is fighting and how strong he is'   

Speaking of her son's recovery, Ms Musgrave said: '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.

'Everything is under control and he is doing well. He's having a lot more fluids now but is still being fed through a tube.

'He's on a lot of antibiotics as well and we don't know how long he will be in hospital for. It depends how the infection is treated but things are looking promising.

'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.

She said: '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.

'We're just so proud and overwhelmed with all the support.'

Hundreds of local residents, including a number of rugby league stars, have rallied around the family on social media using the hashtag #Pray4Archie. 

Ms Musgrave is also urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against Meningitis B, saying: '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.'

Ms Musgrave is urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against Meningitis B

Ms Musgrave is urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against Meningitis B

Ms Musgrave (pictured with Archie and his father Jack) said the support is 'overwhelming'

Ms Musgrave (pictured with Archie and his father Jack) said the support is 'overwhelming'

Archie was healthy (pictured before) until coming home from school with a headache

Archie was healthy (pictured before) until coming home from school with a headache

WHO IS FAYE BURDETT? THE TODDLER WHO DIED FROM MENINGITIS B

On Valentine's Day 2016, Faye Burdett died from meningitis B, her tiny body ravaged by the disease.

Photographs, released by her parents after she died, graphically illustrated the horrific toll of the illness.

Her death triggered a campaign for greater access to the vaccine Bexsero, which was introduced in September 2015 but restricted to infants under one.

At the time, the Government promised a public-health campaign to raise awareness of meningitis. 

Ministers also pledged to publish a review of the ‘cost-effectiveness’ calculations behind the decision to restrict access, vowing it would be completed last summer.

Faye Burdett (pictured left before she became ill) died from meningitis B on Valentine's Day 2016, her tiny body ravaged by the disease. Photographs, released by her parents after she died, graphically illustrated the horrific toll of the illness (right)

Faye Burdett (pictured left before she became ill) died from meningitis B on Valentine's Day 2016, her tiny body ravaged by the disease. Photographs, released by her parents after she died, graphically illustrated the horrific toll of the illness (right)

Yet in February 2017, Faye’s father Neil accused ministers of breaking both promises.

He warned children are at risk due to the Government doing 'absolutely nothing' in the 12 months following his daughter’s death.

Meningitis Research Foundation estimate 400 cases of meningitis B in children up to five years old could have been prevented had they been given Bexsero.

Faye’s parents released photos of their daughter dying in Maidstone Hospital in Kent, covered in a rash from head to toe. 

It prompted more than 820,000 people to sign a petition for Bexsero to be given to all children.

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