A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl survived one of the deadliest forms of meningitis thanks to the swift actions of her family.

Faye Habgood, from Rodbourne Cheney, contracted Hib meningitis which affected only 120 people in the country last year.

If Faye's condition had been left untreated for a few more hours, chances of survival would be slim.

But the illness was caught in time and Faye is now recovering at home after spending a week in hospital.

Her mother, Janet, 38, now wants to warn other parents of the symptoms.

She said: "She had all the signs, apart from a rash. But you never think it will happen to you, so I thought it was just a virus, not meningitis.

"This happy ending could so easily have been a tragedy. The doctors and nurses saved Faye's life. We are eternally grateful."

Faye was sent home from Rodbourne Cheney Primary School on July 17 because she felt sick and had a headache.

During the night she was violently sick and said her eyes were hurting.

The following morning Janet called their family doctor, Juan Ochoa.

She said: "Dr Ochoa came around almost immediately. He said it was probably a virus, but didn't like her colour. So he arranged for her to go to hospital. Being on the cautious side probably saved her life."

By the time Faye arrived at the Great Western Hospital she was unconscious.

A brain scan revealed no fluid on her brain or blood clots, so doctors performed a procedure to analyse fluid from her spinal chord.

It showed she had Hib meningitis, which all children are routinely vaccinated against.

Janet said: "It was such a shock. One minute my girl is fighting fit, the next she was fighting for her life. Doctors said she was just extremely unlucky to get it."

Dr Ochoa said: "The vaccination against Hib meningitis does not provide 100 per cent protection with all children.

"Faye was very unfortunate. When I saw her there were no clear clinical signs of meningitis. But my gut feeling knew something was wrong.

"So it was better to be safe than sorry. Hib meningitis is particularly rare and aggressive, so it is a relief we picked up on it so quickly."

He added: "Once the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it causes septicaemia. The mortality rate when it reaches this stage is very high."

Faye spent a week in hospital on antibiotics, which were fed by a drip through her arm.

As a precaution, all her immediate family were given antibiotics and the GWH informed the public health department, but her school colleagues were not considered to be at any risk.

Last week Faye was allowed home, with daily trips to the hospital for more antibiotics.

Although her course of medicine is now complete, the family holiday to France, scheduled to start last Saturday had to be cancelled.

But Faye's spirits were raised by her friends at Rodbourne Cheney Primary School who collected £80 to buy get well presents.

And on August 30 Faye is going to Tenerife for two weeks with mum Janet, dad Steve and her brother, Jonathan, 14.

She said: "I feel much better now and can't wait to go on holiday."

Lin Fitzjohn, children's ward sister at the GWH, said: "The right timing and treatment made all the difference. Faye was the model patient and we're so pleased she pulled through."

Symptoms every parent should be looking for

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the linings surrounding the brain.

Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis. It is rarely life-threatening, but it can make people very weak.

Bacterial meningitis/ meningococcal septicaemia is less common and far more serious. It is mainly caused by the meningococcal bacteria, but can also be caused by the pneumococcal, Hib and TB bacteria.

Meningitis Symptoms

Rash that does not fade under pressure; fever/vomiting; drowsiness; cold hands and feet; rapid breathing; joint/muscle pain; stomach pain/diarrhoea; severe headache; stiff neck (not often in young children); dislike of bright lights (not often in young children)

Babies may also suffer from: tense or bulging soft spots; blotchy skin getting paler/turning blue; refusing to feed; irritable high-pitched moaning cry; stiff body or floppy and lifeless.

The National Meningitis Trust, based in Stroud, was established 17 years ago. The charity aims to raise awareness of the disease, fund research into vaccines and treatment and offer support

It operates a 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 0845 6000800.