Sian Alderton never thought that sharing an e-cigarette with her friend could give her a fatal infection that would lead to brain swelling.
The 18-year-old from Norwich in Norfolk contracted bacterial meningitis after going out with friends in October.
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Within days, the teenager was placed in a medically induced coma while her body fought the infection that attacks the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Her mother, Kerry Durrant, 36, said: “We have to prepare for the worst and say goodbye to her because she may not get out.”
Sian and Kerry are now raising awareness of the signs of meningitis after doctors thought they could catch the disease through sharing drinks, vaping or kissing.
On October 18, Sian went out to two clubs with her friends, where she said she vaped with them.
She explained: “I don't drink much and prefer to go out with others. I had three or four drinks.”
“I shared my vape with three mutual friends which is not unusual as everyone shares my vape on a night out.
“I didn't think anything of it because they were my friends.”
Sian thought she had an illness when she started feeling ill the next day and started vomiting after eating a takeaway Chinese meal in the evening.
But the next day, she was covered in a rash.
Her mother said: “It looked like chicken pox or insect bites, but the rash wasn’t prominent – the skin was soft and red.”
Kerry held a cup to the spots but they wouldn't go away under the pressure, so the pair rushed to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
“The last thing I remember is walking into the hospital hallway,” Sian said.
“I knew I was in pain and it was hard to move, so I sat in a wheelchair, but then it just became a blur.”
Within four hours of arriving at hospital, Sian was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and was placed in a medically induced coma for four days.
Sian said: “When I woke up a few days later I was still out of the sick, but I was told I had bacterial meningococcal meningitis, or meningitis.”
“It was one of the very few cases the hospital has ever seen.”
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The doctors treating her explained that it might have been caused by sharing a drink or kissing someone while she was out, but they were unable to determine the cause.
Sian added: “It was a really difficult time, but my family visited me every day and they helped me a lot.”
“My mom would come over every day and sleep over for a few nights, so I wasn't alone all the time.”
The teen spent 14 days in hospital and remarkably passed her driving test less than a week after being released from hospital.
“Trust your instincts”
Dr Tom Knott, chief executive of the charity Meningitis Now, said: “Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening disease that can strike suddenly and progress rapidly.
“Although not everyone who is exposed to the bacteria will get sick, close contact with someone with meningitis is at higher risk and may need preventive antibiotics.
“Avoiding sharing personal items and staying up to date on vaccinations can help reduce the risk of transmission.
“If you suspect meningitis, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical care.
“Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.”
Everything you need to know about meningitis
Meningitis is an uncommon but serious disease that can cause life-threatening complications and even death.
It is stimulated by meningococcal bacteria.
It can affect anyone, but is most common in infants, young children, teens, and young adults.
Meningitis can attack the lining of the brain and spinal cord and, in some cases, cause a serious blood infection (sepsis).
The early symptoms of meningitis can sometimes be similar to those of influenza, but it can develop quickly and can be fatal.
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
- High temperature (fever) of more than 37.5°C (99.5°F)
- Being sick
- headache
- A macular rash that does not go away when glass is rolled over it (this will not always develop)
- Stiff neck
- – Hate bright lights
- Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Seizures (seizures)
These symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear.
When to get medical help
You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you are worried that you or your child may have meningitis.
Trust your instincts, and don't wait until a rash develops.
Call 999 for an ambulance or go to the nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department immediately if you think you or your child may be seriously ill.
Call 111 or your GP for advice if you are not sure if it is serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
How is meningitis spread?
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rare but more serious than viral meningitis.
The infection that causes meningitis can spread through:
- Sneezing
- Cough
- kiss
- Sharing utensils, cutlery, and toothbrushes
Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not sick.
It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations provide some protection against certain causes of meningitis.
These include:
- Meningitis B vaccine – given to children at 8 weeks of age, followed by a second dose at 16 weeks, and a booster dose at 1 year of age
- 6-in-1 vaccine – given to babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine – offered to children between 12 weeks and 12 to 13 months of age
- Meningitis C vaccine – given at 12 weeks and 1 year of age
- MMR vaccine – given to children at 1 year of age and a second dose at 3 years and 4 months
- ACWY meningitis vaccine – offered to adolescents who are in S3 stage (around 14 years of age) at school. Young people who are in S4-S6 and missed out on vaccination last year can also get the vaccine at school this year
