Meningitis Awareness
In loving memory of my sister, Sylvia.
I cried 1,000 oceans. Sail on, my dear sis ♥
(May 3, 1978 — October 26, 2008)
That night on September 23, I received a phone call from my elder sister's housemate, Keke. She said my sister, Sylvia, was rushed into ER for having a high fever, diarrhea and unconsciousness. I was shocked when the doctors said that there was something wrong with her brain. Moreover, I didn't even know such a disease called Meningitis does exist nor how to spell the name correctly! If only I could turn back time, I'd be more aware of the disease than I was before this had happened.
Although they were right about the diagnosis; unfortunately, they had too much suspicion over my sister's immune system that kept on decreasing. They thought she had HIV and insisted on testing her once more even though the first result was negative!
She was hospitalized in the High Care Unit for about two weeks and then she was released to the recovery room after indicating such a fine progress. A week later, as I thought she's getting better, she often got high fever and felt dizzy to bright light. Until one day, she had a seizure. My tears started falling down the moment I heard the news. I remember that very night she cried when the doctor told us that the seizures could be permanent and she needed to be watched around the clock. She felt like she didn't wanna be anybody's burden anymore. Later, they noticed her liver started to fail and so did her immune system. The next thing I knew, she got complication.
Honestly speaking, I was very disappointed on how they treated my sister. I believe the hospital had lack of experience on treating meningitis patients, especially those suffering from Tuberculous Meningitis. Instead, they made us believe on the possibility of HIV and did NOT recommend us to seek professional help?! It was worsened by the dis-coordination between her neurologist, pneumologist, and internist, in relation to medicine prescriptions.
On October 24, she was forced to undergo a lumbar punction but they failed getting the liquid. I had no I idea what the doctors had in mind, really. It was supposed to be conducted earlier when she first got in. After that, her whole body was swollen and red rashes are all over her skin. The next day, she was transferred back to the High Care Unit. She's getting worse ever since, more seizures, difficulties to breathe and low blood pressure. She passed away on October 26, five days right after my 28th birthday T.T
Is this what it feels like to really cry? If tears could build a stairway, I would walk right up to heaven and bring you home. Miss you much, sister!
Meningitis Facts
It's a medical emergency!
Untreated, meningitis can be fatal in a few hours. Even survivors can have severe consequences including varying degrees of blindness, deafness, paralysis and mental retardation. Suspected cases of meningitis require immediate medical attention.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the linings that surround and protect the brain. It can be caused by many different organisms including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Vaccines are the only way to prevent meningitis, and until we have vaccines to prevent all types you need to know the signs and symptoms to look out for and the action to take. Different viruses, bacteria and fungi can all cause meningitis
Septicaemia (blood poisoning) is caused when bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply uncontrollably. Meningococcal bacteria can cause both meningitis and septicaemia. Together these are known as meningococcal disease.
Most cases of meningitis happen alone, but when there is a case of meningococcal disease, there is a small chance that further cases can happen. To reduce the risk of further cases people who have been in close contact may be offered antibiotics.
Meningitis spreads through close contact, like a cold or flu. Coughing or sneezing, sharing eating utensils, kissing and close physical contact can spread the germs from person to person.
We may carry the germs that cause meningitis without realizing. Because it is difficult if not impossible to stop the transmission of germs, especially among children, prevention becomes an important consideration.
Meningitis symptoms are very similar, whatever the cause:
Meningitis Educational Videos
Raise your awareness, get vaccinated!
I cried 1,000 oceans. Sail on, my dear sis ♥
(May 3, 1978 — October 26, 2008)
That night on September 23, I received a phone call from my elder sister's housemate, Keke. She said my sister, Sylvia, was rushed into ER for having a high fever, diarrhea and unconsciousness. I was shocked when the doctors said that there was something wrong with her brain. Moreover, I didn't even know such a disease called Meningitis does exist nor how to spell the name correctly! If only I could turn back time, I'd be more aware of the disease than I was before this had happened.
Although they were right about the diagnosis; unfortunately, they had too much suspicion over my sister's immune system that kept on decreasing. They thought she had HIV and insisted on testing her once more even though the first result was negative!
She was hospitalized in the High Care Unit for about two weeks and then she was released to the recovery room after indicating such a fine progress. A week later, as I thought she's getting better, she often got high fever and felt dizzy to bright light. Until one day, she had a seizure. My tears started falling down the moment I heard the news. I remember that very night she cried when the doctor told us that the seizures could be permanent and she needed to be watched around the clock. She felt like she didn't wanna be anybody's burden anymore. Later, they noticed her liver started to fail and so did her immune system. The next thing I knew, she got complication.
Honestly speaking, I was very disappointed on how they treated my sister. I believe the hospital had lack of experience on treating meningitis patients, especially those suffering from Tuberculous Meningitis. Instead, they made us believe on the possibility of HIV and did NOT recommend us to seek professional help?! It was worsened by the dis-coordination between her neurologist, pneumologist, and internist, in relation to medicine prescriptions.
On October 24, she was forced to undergo a lumbar punction but they failed getting the liquid. I had no I idea what the doctors had in mind, really. It was supposed to be conducted earlier when she first got in. After that, her whole body was swollen and red rashes are all over her skin. The next day, she was transferred back to the High Care Unit. She's getting worse ever since, more seizures, difficulties to breathe and low blood pressure. She passed away on October 26, five days right after my 28th birthday T.T
Is this what it feels like to really cry? If tears could build a stairway, I would walk right up to heaven and bring you home. Miss you much, sister!
Meningitis Facts
It's a medical emergency!
Untreated, meningitis can be fatal in a few hours. Even survivors can have severe consequences including varying degrees of blindness, deafness, paralysis and mental retardation. Suspected cases of meningitis require immediate medical attention.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the linings that surround and protect the brain. It can be caused by many different organisms including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Vaccines are the only way to prevent meningitis, and until we have vaccines to prevent all types you need to know the signs and symptoms to look out for and the action to take. Different viruses, bacteria and fungi can all cause meningitis
Septicaemia (blood poisoning) is caused when bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply uncontrollably. Meningococcal bacteria can cause both meningitis and septicaemia. Together these are known as meningococcal disease.
Most cases of meningitis happen alone, but when there is a case of meningococcal disease, there is a small chance that further cases can happen. To reduce the risk of further cases people who have been in close contact may be offered antibiotics.
Meningitis spreads through close contact, like a cold or flu. Coughing or sneezing, sharing eating utensils, kissing and close physical contact can spread the germs from person to person.
We may carry the germs that cause meningitis without realizing. Because it is difficult if not impossible to stop the transmission of germs, especially among children, prevention becomes an important consideration.
Meningitis symptoms are very similar, whatever the cause:
- Sudden high fever
- Drowsiness or confusion
- Severe, unrelenting headache
- Stiff neck
- Intolerance to bright light and sounds
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Twitching, convulsions, delirium particularly in children
- A rash of small, irregular purple or red spots all over the body may indicate meningococcal meningitis (see glass test).
- High fever
- Fretfulness, irritability - particularly when handled
- Difficulty awakening, drowsiness
- Difficulty feeding
- Vomiting
- Stiff neck, bulging fontanelle (soft spot on top of head) may occur but not at the outset.
Meningitis Educational Videos
Raise your awareness, get vaccinated!
Comments
I am so sorry your sister did not survive.
Everyones stories are always different but there is always a common thread of confusion and intense grief.
I am writing a blog about our experience with meningitis called This is No Ordinary Kid. I am telling the story in parts because it is long and quite emotional, as you can imagine.
Thank you for sharing.
Jane
http://thisisnoordinarykid.blogspot.com/