I lost my young daughter to meningitis and was extremely concerned to read the news of two-year-old Georgia Keeling.

She was misdiagnosed with swine flu and died from meningitis just three hours later.

Doctors thought my daughter Jessica, also two, had a gastric infection, and she died from the devastating disease the very next day.

Sadly, both their deaths show how difficult it is to confuse meningitis with less-deadly and more common diseases, like flu.

Hearing how Georgia died from meningitis just three hours after paramedics gave her Tamiflu should hopefully remind people how important it is to know the symptoms of meningitis and not confuse it with illnesses like swine flu.

I’m really concerned that people, particularly children, will be misdiagnosed during the swine flu pandemic without being properly examined and looked at.

Georgia’s sad case proves that this can be fatal.

Losing Jessica was the most traumatic experience of my life. I would urge everyone to make sure they’re fully clued-up on the symptoms of meningitis – especially as it can kill in less than four hours.

Make sure you know what to look out for too. In babies, an unusual cry, dislike of being handled and refusing feeds can indicate meningitis. Other signs include a headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, cold hands and feet, fever, vomiting, confusion and drowsiness.

I support Meningitis UK, which advises parents to trust their instincts. I couldn’t agree more. If you suspect something’s seriously wrong with your child then please persist and make sure they get the treatment they deserve.

Please call the charity on 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisuk.org where you can get a free information pack.

KELLY CRISP, Hertfordshire.