Meningitis does not discriminate

Dave is 47 years old and six weeks ago he began a bout of sickness which lasted for three days and nights. During these three days the headaches were so severe that he lost consciousness at least three times.

On 4th day he noticed a rash on his chest and arms. The headaches and sickness remained. Dave dialed 111 and was told by a Doctor that he was suffering from gastroenteritis. The Doctor told him the rash was a result of the vomiting.

On day 6 he visited his GP who again said that he was suffering from gastroenteritis and prescribed pain killers. The next day he experienced an improvement but by the eighth day the headaches became more severe and a new symptom developed in the shape of aching limbs and feet. By day 9 he was exhausted and slept all day.

On the 10th day he went to A.E. Department of his local hospital where he was once again told that he has gastroenteritis and was placed on an intravenous drip. After one hour he was sent home.

The next day he experienced the worst headaches yet. He dialed 999 and was refused an ambulance but instead was advised to dial 111. His wife drove him to A.E. and this time he was given morphine to numb the excruciating pain he was experiencing and was given a scan. He was placed on an isolation ward and was tested for Lyme’s Disease, TB, HIV and Weil’s Disease.

These tests proved to be negative and he was eventually diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.  He was given a Lumbar Puncture and further blood tests.

Dave remained in hospital for 10 days during which time he continued to vomit and hallucinate. He also developed hearing difficulties.

The medical staff concluded that he had contracted bacterial meningitis when he visited Egypt 8 years earlier and it had laid dormant for all that time.

This whole process took at least 20 days.

A 20-day period during which Dave almost died. If it had not been for his persistence he would have died.

The point of all of this is that YOU ARE THE BEST JUDGE OF HOW YOU FEEL, and things are very often misdiagnosed. Thanks to Dave for sharing his experience with us and helping us to identify some of the signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis.

Common signs and symptoms of meningitis are:

High temperature

Cold hands and feet

Vomiting

Confusion

Breathing quickly

Muscle and joint pain

Mottled or blotchy skin

Spots or a rash

Headache

Stiff neck

Dislike of bright lights

Being very sleepy or difficult to wake

Seizures

For more information on Meningitis does not discriminate talk to Wiltshire First Aid Training