News & Stories
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Stories
Sam L's story
Sam, from Abbeymead in Gloucester, fell ill in 2019 with what she thought was the start of a cold. But the 23-year-old went from bad to worse and was admitted to hospital where meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia was diagnosed
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Stories
Kim L's story
"It’s taken me over 17 years to write this, I have tried before, but recently a film inspired me to put my story to paper, and not bottle it up. I hope it gives a little insight into the disease called meningitis and how it affected me personally
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Stories
Ipek's story
An excruciating headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, vomiting and dizziness led to an initial diagnosis of viral meningitis for Ipek. The new mum, from Essex, spent her 30th birthday in hospital, but then her diagnosis was changed to bacterial meningitis as her condition deteriorated
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Stories
Karen's Mollaret's story
Karen, from Wales, is keen to raise awareness of Mollaret’s meningitis, a recurrent form of viral meningitis. She has now had this seven times since 2008
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Stories
Connor W's story
First-time mum Claire, from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, didn’t quite have the magical time she was hoping for when her son Connor was born and at four weeks he was admitted to hospital, where viral meningitis was finally diagnosed
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Stories
Charlie N’s story
Baby Charlie was irritable, unsettled and screaming when he was picked up. Fortunately, mum Chelsea had to pick up some test results for him the next day so took the opportunity to ask about his condition
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Stories
Simon K’s story
Diane’s 21-month-old-son Simon fell ill in January 1977 with meningococcal septicaemia, sadly losing his life to the disease
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Stories
Louisa W's story
Louisa, now living in Shropshire, suffered a series of catastrophic illnesses when she was just 23. Following an awful migraine that lasted for three months she contracted bacterial meningitis, suffered a stroke then, a few days later, had a cavernous sinus thrombosis (under the brain) which forced her eye out on to her cheek
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Stories
Lucy S’s story
Meningitis left Lucy with an acquired brain injury, completely wiping her memory. She was unable to remember her name or anything about herself, how to speak, eat or dress. She’s encountered many more difficulties on her path to recovery, as she recounts here
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Stories
India's story
India was 17 when she became ill on her way home from holiday. Initially meningitis was ruled out, despite the presence of a rash, but later confirmed by further tests
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Stories
Tina's story
Tina was hard at work decorating while her twin daughters enjoyed a sleepover when she fell ill. Initially she thought it was the paint fumes that had affected her but she was suffering something far more serious – meningococcal meningitis
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Stories
Kris' story
Nearly a year ago Kris was hospitalised with viral meningitis. As we near the end of this year’s Viral Meningitis Week he tells his story, charting his progress towards recovery and outlining the help and support he found along the way