Meningitis

• The Disease
  • Types
  • Personal stories
    • Leave a message
    • Charlie McVey
    • Oscar Hayes
  • Symptoms
  • After effects
  • Facts and figures
  • Surveillance
  • FAQs
  • Medical Glossary
• The Research
• Help & Advice
• Education

Georgia Keeling

Aged two years
Strep A meningitis 

Toddler Georgia's death hit the headline in August 2009 after doctors twice misdiagnosed her as having swine flu. Her parents Paul Sewell and Tasha Keeling, from Norwich, have embarked on a fundraising mission in her memory and hope to help raise awareness of the deadly disease.

Georgia initially fell ill with a slight temperature before being sick and coming out in a rash.

Her family contacted their local health centre, the swine flu helpline, NHS Direct, the emergency services and a paramedic.

On two of these occasions they were told she had swine flu, despite Paul and Tasha insisting she had all the symptoms of meningitis.

Paul said: "She had absolutely every symptom of meningitis other than an aversion to bright light.

"By the time the paramedic arrived she was covered in a rash but he came in with Tamiflu so had diagnosed her without even checking her condition.

"If swine flu hadn't been so prevalent then I think our concerns would have been taken more seriously."

Tests have since confirmed that Georgia died of Group A Streptococcal Meningitis, which is a very rare form of the disease.

Her family is awaiting the result of an inquest into her death before taking action against the hospital.

In the meantime they're focusing their attentions on fundraising for Meningitis UK and already have plans for a sponsored speed dating night and Norwich to Paris bike ride later on in the year.

A sponsored head shave has been organised for the end of March, followed by a five-a-side football tournament on April 12.

Paul's dad Douglas Sewell, 41, will be sacrificing his shoulder-length locks and hopes to raise £1,000 and three schools have been lined-up to take part in the football at Norwich's Open Academy.

Paul, 22, said: "My dad's had long hair for around 20 years now and I know a lot of people will be keen to see him have it shaved off.

"We've also organised a raffle and parents' penalty shoot-out for the football, so that should be a good day too.

"It's really helped to be doing something proactive in Georgia's memory. We want to raise awareness and encourage parents to trust their instincts if they sense their child's really poorly."

All the money raised will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign. It aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against all forms of meningitis and its associated diseases.