A young student initially mistook her severe headache for the common “freshers’ flu” caused by excessive socializing. To her surprise, she was diagnosed with meningitis. Lara Drew, 22, faced a critical condition of streptococcal meningitis, with doctors at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent, informing her parents that she was on the brink of death.
After a strenuous 10-day hospital stay on an IV drip and requiring physiotherapy to regain the ability to walk, Lara eventually recovered. She now advocates for vigilance among young individuals, urging them to prioritize their health and seek medical attention when feeling unwell. Lara emphasized the importance of utilizing the healthcare system, such as the NHS, to protect oneself and loved ones from life-threatening situations.
Her cautionary message coincides with a recent meningitis outbreak in Kent, claiming the lives of two young individuals, including student Juliette Kenny. Fortunately, with an increasing number of young people, including University of Kent students, opting for the meningitis vaccine, the reported cases have seen a decline.
Lara, a drama student at the time, contracted Group A streptococcal meningitis while attending a family funeral in Ashford. Initially dismissing her symptoms as fatigue from social activities, she experienced a sudden onset of debilitating headache and light sensitivity, classic signs of meningitis. Subsequently, Lara suffered seizures and vomiting, prompting her urgent hospitalization.
Despite being placed in a medically induced coma for three days, Lara successfully fought off the infection in November 2021. Now working as a pilates instructor, she reflects on the ordeal, attributing her illness to the taxing lifestyle of drama school and social engagements that left her vulnerable to infections.
Being a survivor of bacterial meningitis, Lara highlights the gravity of the illness compared to its viral counterpart. The introduction of the bacterial meningitis vaccine in 2015 has significantly reduced infections among vaccinated individuals. However, individuals over the age of 11 remain susceptible unless they opt for private vaccination.
Recent efforts by Health Secretary Wes Streeting to protect the population from meningitis have resulted in over 9,360 individuals receiving Meningitis B (MenB) vaccinations and 12,733 people receiving antibiotics. These measures aim to curb the spread of meningitis and safeguard public health.
