Young Meningitis Survivor Urges Awareness

A Fife meningitis survivor is urging others in the region to know the symptoms of the disease.

Heather Wilson from Rosyth was diagnosed with the condition when she was 10 months old, after becoming lethargic.

It comes during Meningitis Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of the disease, as well septicaemia.

Medics say the condition peaks during autumn and winter - around 3,200 people are diagnosed every year.

Children under 5 and students are most at risk of the diseases, which kills one in ten diagnosed.

Her mum Diane said symptoms are easily confused with other conditions.

She said: "Heather was 10 months old at the time and had, a little before being admitted to hospital, been suffering from a chest infection but on the morning of her hospitalisation she woke up grumpy, a bit upset with nappy rash and a little red patch on her cheek, I therefore thought her restlessness was due to teething. As the day went on she became very lethargic and when Heather started convulsing we took her straight to the hospital.

"The paediatricians at the hospital were very quick to act and over 2 weeks Heather received outstanding care and recovered well enough to be allowed to come home.

"But the nightmare wasn’t over as we didn’t know the long term affects of such a serious illness, as Heather was too young to undergo many tests such as hearing or limb impairment.

"We didn’t know if she would walk or be able to hear/talk. We spent the next few years attending numerous hospital appointments for various tests and were so elated as one by one we were able to tick off debilitating after-effects and watch Heather grow into the healthy young girl who now actively raises awareness and funds on behalf of  Meningitis Research Foundation.”

"Everyone needs to know the symptoms so they can seek medical help fast.”

Heather says anyone in any doubt should go to the hospital: