A MUM who could only watch as her daughter's life hung in the balance has urged parents to look out for early signs of meningitis.

Sosi Solon-Thomson, from Dalgety Bay, complained of a headache to mum Amy one morning last month but as the day progressed, the five-year-old deteriorated and began vomiting.

The Donibristle schoolgirl was born with a condition that makes her vulnerable to infection and has already had sepsis three times in her short life.

However, the most recent incident just four weeks ago also came with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis – an infection where death can occur in a little as a few hours.

Thanks to quick-thinking NHS Fife staff, Sosi was given life-saving drugs and is making a full recovery.

Amy told the Press: "Sosi is a voracious child so when she told me she was freezing cold and wanted to go home after taking part in a scavenger hunt with friends for just 20 minutes, I knew immediately that something was wrong.

"She is the first person to a party and the last to leave, so it was so unlike her.

"Early that morning, she had complained of a headache but I didn't think much more about it.

"She told me she wanted some tomato soup so I went to the shops to get ingredients and when I came back to the car I remember her being white as a sheet.

"We went home and that's when the vomiting started and a temperature came after that so I called 999."

People can recover from bacterial meningitis if treated quickly but those who aren't can face permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.

"An ambulance came within minutes and they took her into hospital as a precaution because she previously had sepsis," Amy continued.

"When I heard the word, 'Meningitis', my legs went from underneath me but they saved her life.

"They knew immediately what it was and they had an IV in her within 15 minutes.

"Sosi deteriorated very quickly and it's clear that speed is of the essence in cases of meningitis.

"I would say to anyone concerned to make that phone call and trust your instincts as it could have been a different story for us easily.

"I'm so thankful that we acted as quickly as we did and health staff acted immediately with the right treatment."

Sosi spent one week in hospital and a further week as an outpatient as she was given more medicine.

She returned to school recently but the experience has shaken her.

However, one of the things that made it more bearable is the 'Sunshine Box' at the children's ward at Victoria Hospital – funded entirely by donations – where a child who needs to go for a procedure can choose a present.

"This was instrumental in my daughter's psychological recovery," Amy explained.

"She was subjected to many very traumatic but necessary interventions, and this box eased the way for her.

"Although she's been in hospital before, the last time she was only 18-months-old and we had four years where she barely had a sniffle.

"But now that's she's five, it's a whole different narrative.

"She's getting stronger each day and back to health but you can tell that her confidence has been knocked.

"It's been a shock to all of us but she's the one that's gone through it."

The community have got behind Sosi's family, sending donations for the Sunshine Box as well as providing practical and emotional support.

Amy added: "What the children's ward do for Fife families is amazing; they made a horrible experience bearable. We hope to raise some awareness so they get some donations.

"We've been overwhelmed by people's generosity, such as Viv, from the Artful Bear, who donated a most beautiful knitted 'fish tank' to the ward; and Heather, from Dib and Dab, who arrived at our house to drop off some lovely painting ceramics that would entertain my girls. Other neighbours and friends have fed us, acted as counsellors and babysat as well as fed our pets and walked our dog."

If you would like to donate to the Sunshine Box, visit:https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/the-sunshine-box