By Miriam Stoppard Childhood meningitis can be caused by a virus or a bacterium. Either way it’s serious, even though it’s often difficult to tell them apart. However, we must distinguish between them because bacterial meningitis will improve in a matter of hours with antibiotics. It is often accompanied by a deep purple rash that doesn’t disappear on pressure from a glass. It’s crucial we spot it because one in three children who get bacterial meningitis will suffer permanent disabilities. It’s just as crucial for babies and children to have the meningitis jabs to prevent these serious compli…