Question:

My Husband Eric passed away 22.12.2008 with Pneumoccal Meningitis. He had a slight cold for 2days, the day before he passed away he said he was exceptionally cold, and achey we put this down to flu. The following day I found him unconscious and he sadly passed away the following day. I would like to know how a exceptionally health man of 58 can suddenly have a cold and then go to being critically ill

Answer:

Professor Andrew Pollard says:

It is very difficult to understand how this terrible disease can strike healthy people and cause such a tragic loss as with your husband. Pneumococcal meningitis happens when a germ (the pneumococcus), that can live harmlessly in the nose and throat of some people, travels from there through the blood stream to the covering of the brain and causes an infection there. This can happen very rapidly and can affect healthy adults and children. We know that some underlying diseases can increase the risk of meningitis but many cases occur in healthy individuals and we don't know why. We think some people may be genetically more susceptible than others but we are not able to predict this at the moment. Many people do have unremarkable cold symptoms before they develop meningitis. This might be because a cold virus caused an infection first and the inflammation in the throat allowed the pneumococcus to get in, or the cold symptoms might be caused by the pneumococcus itself.

Comments

Wiseman
Posts: 2

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Reply #2 on : Mon December 19, 2011, 09:12:23

Which came first, the problem or the solution? Luckily it doesn't mttaer.

H harrop
Posts: 2

new comment
Reply #1 on : Thu March 04, 2010, 21:09:10

My son aged 9 at the time got pneumoccal meningitus on 05/09/08. He too became acutely I'll within 24hours. He was in intensive care for 5 weeks fighting for his life the whole time, he perforated his bowel through all the steroids and antibiotics that were keeping him alive . Fortunately he did survive but is now permanently profoundly deaf through it. I too was shocked at how quick this illness takes a hold and think people should be made more aware of the seriousness of it ie: advertisements .Although he survived the impact has devastated us all and I am very sorry for erics wife because I know the devastation it has caused her . My only regret is not recognizing the symptoms as I too thought my son just had the flu.

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