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Nerys and Amber's meningitis alert for autumn

12 October 2009

With the clocks going back this weekend and winter fast approaching, the UK’s longest established meningitis charity - the Meningitis Trust - is warning people to watch out for the signs and symptoms of this life-threatening disease.

Sue Davie, Chief Executive of the Meningitis Trust, says: “Every year we see an increase in cases of meningitis over the winter months. Nearly 60% of the most serious bacterial types occur between now and March, and although the disease affects all ages, over half of those cases will be in children under 5”

“Fighting common infections like colds and flu weakens our immune systems, leaving us all more vulnerable to meningitis. People are also at an increased risk as in winter we tend to spend more time indoors and in closer proximity to others, which means germs are spread more easily.”

Nerys Davies, 25, knows only too well the devastating impact meningitis can have. Her daughter Amber, now four, contracted meningitis at just eight months old and was immediately rushed to hospital.

“She was such a tiny thing, but within minutes she had tripled in size, she was so swollen that her top lip was touching her nose.” Becoming increasingly ill by the second, Amber slipped into a coma. “A doctor took us into a family side room and told us Amber was very, very sick and it was the worst strain of meningitis,” said Nerys.

“She said no matter how many drugs they gave her she was too ill to fight the disease.

“We were given two choices – either say our goodbyes there and spend our last few minutes with her, or opt for what they called a ‘grab and run’ where they would transfer her to intensive care but she might not survive being moved and we couldn’t ride in the ambulance with her because they needed so many nurses with them.”

Eventually, doctors predicted that it was just a matter of time before Amber succumbed to the bacteria. Despite not being a particularly religious person, Nerys asked for a priest to read her the last rites.

But, ten days later, little Amber astounded her parents and the medical team when she opened her eyes and gave her mum a weak smile. As she slowly came back from the brink of death, Amber faced having all four limbs amputated; doctors were able to only save her left leg although her toes had to be amputated as well as her fingers on her left hand.

As Nerys and Amber’s story shows, the early symptoms of meningitis can easily be mistaken for those of flu. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, drowsiness, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and in some, but not all cases, a rash. Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all. It is important to trust your instincts.

Sue Davie continues: “Worryingly, the symptoms can easily look like other, less serious conditions. With Winter upon us, it is all the more important to err on the side of caution, be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis, and seek medical attention as a matter of urgency if you suspect the disease.”

Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning) can affect anyone at any time and can kill within hours. Survivors can be left with disabling after-effects, including brain damage, deafness and, where septicaemia has occurred, loss of limbs.

The Meningitis Trust is a registered charity dedicated to providing practical and emotional support for life to anyone affected by the disease. It has a range of professional support services, which provide a lifeline to those who are struggling to cope with the impact of meningitis. Last year it helped 20,000 people through its services and gave out £160,000 in financial support grants.

The charity is also committed to raising awareness of the disease and produces a range of awareness information materials, such as a handy credit card sized signs and symptoms card. The cards are available FREE by calling the Trust’s freephone 24-hour helpline on 0800 028 18 28 and are designed to be kept in people’s purses and wallets at all times.

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