Teen, 18, left fighting for life with ‘brain-swelling bug’ after sharing a vape on a night out
SIAN Alderton never thought sharing a vape with a friend could leave her with a lethal brain-swelling infection.
The 18-year-old from Norwich caught bacterial meningitis after going out with pals in October.
Within days, the teen was put into a medically induced coma as her body battled the infection, which attacks the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
“We would need to prepare for the worst and to say our goodbyes as she may not come out,” her mum Kerrie Durrant, 36, said.
Sian and Kerrie are now raising awareness of the signs of meningitis after doctors believe she could have caught it from sharing drinks, vaping or kissing.
Sian went out on October 18 to two clubs with her friends where she said she shared a vape with them.
“I’m not a heavy drinker and prefer the socialising of going out. I had three or four drinks,” she explained.
“I shared my vape with three mutual friends and this is not unusual as everyone shares vapes on a night out.
“I didn’t think anything of it because they were my friends.”
Sian thought she had a sickness bug when she started feeling ill the following day and began vomiting after having a Chinese takeaway in the evening.
However, the next day she was covered in a rash.
“They looked like chicken pox or insect bites but the rash was not raised – it felt smooth to the skin and they were red in colour,” her mum said.
Kerrie held a glass against the spots but they did not disappear under pressure so the pair raced to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
“The last thing I remember is walking into the hospital entrance,” Sian said.
“I know I was aching and it was hard to move so I sat in a wheelchair but then it gets blurry.”
Within four hours of arriving at the hospital, Sian was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and placed into a medically induced coma for four days.
“When I woke up a few days later I was still pretty out of it but was told I had bacterial meningococcus or meningitis,” Sian said.
“It was one of a very few cases the hospital had ever seen.”
The doctors treating her explained it might have come from sharing a drink, vaping or kissing somebody while she was out – but they couldn’t pinpoint the cause.
“It was a really difficult time but my family visiting me every day helped the most,” Sian added.
“My mum came every single day and slept over a few nights so I wasn’t alone all the time.”
The teen spent 14 days altogether in hospital and remarkably passed her driving test less than a week after being discharged.
‘TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS’
Dr Tom Nutt, CEO of the charity Meningitis Now, said: “Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening illness that can strike suddenly and progress rapidly.
“While not everyone exposed to the bacteria becomes ill, close contacts of someone with meningitis are at higher risk and may require preventive antibiotics.
“Avoiding the sharing of personal items and staying up to date with vaccinations can help reduce the risk of transmission.
“If you suspect meningitis, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical attention.
“Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.”
Everything you need to know about meningitis
Meningitis, is an uncommon but serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications and even death.
It is triggered by the meningococcal bacteria.
It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
Meningitis can attack the lining of the brain and spinal cord and, in some cases, cause a serious blood infection (sepsis).
Early symptoms of meningitis can sometimes be similar to those of the flu, but they can progress quickly and can be fatal.
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
- A high temperature (fever) over 37.5C (99.5F)
- Being sick
- A headache
- A blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won’t always develop)
- A stiff neck
- A dislike of bright lights
- Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Seizures (fits)
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’re concerned that you or your child could have meningitis.
Trust your instincts, and don’t wait until a rash develops.
Phone 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department immediately if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.
Phone 111 or your GP practice for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
How meningitis is spread
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.
Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Kissing
- Sharing utensils, cutlery and toothbrushes
Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but aren’t ill themselves.
It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis.
These include the:
- Meningitis B vaccine – offered to babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 16 weeks, and a booster at 1 year
- 6-in-1 vaccine – offered to babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
- Pneumococcal vaccine – offered to babies at 12 weeks and between 12 and 13 months old
- Meningitis C vaccine – offered at 12 weeks of age, 1 year
- MMR vaccine – offered to babies at 1 year and a second dose at 3 years and 4 months
- Meningitis ACWY vaccine – offered to teenagers who are in S3 (around 14 years of age) at school. Young people who are in S4-S6 and missed the opportunity to get immunised last year, may also get the vaccine at school this year