Published :
Australian Woman Contracts Rare, Life-Threatening Bacteria After Dream Vacation
By Anjali Thakur | Updated: April 30, 2024
18-year-old Claudia Gill's dream vacation turned into a fight for survival. After returning home from Queensland, Claudia was struck by a brutal combination of fatigue, excruciating ear sensitivity, and a constant ringing in her ears. Soon, a stiff neck, vomiting, and fainting sent her rushing to the hospital.
Chilling Diagnosis
At the hospital, doctors delivered a chilling diagnosis - meningococcus B, a potentially fatal bacterial infection. A close call with death left Ms. Gill hospitalized for five nights, followed by weeks of recovery and a gradual return to studies.
Long-Term Impact
Even two years later, she battles more frequent and severe headaches. Ms. Gill's brush with mortality has fueled her desire to raise awareness about meningococcal symptoms, hoping to prevent others from facing the same terrifying ordeal.
Recognizing Symptoms
Ms. Gill's initial symptom was a mild rash, which can sometimes appear later in the course of meningococcal meningitis. This was followed by a worsening of symptoms, including growing sensitivity to light and sound, a stiff neck, nausea, a stiff back, vomiting, and finally complete body stiffness and a headache. She emphasizes the importance of knowing all the symptoms to act quickly if an infection is suspected.
Vaccination and Prevention
Meningococcus bacteria come in different strains, some of which can invade the bloodstream and cause sepsis (blood poisoning). Fortunately, vaccines exist to protect against four common variants: A, C, W, and Y. In Australia, these vaccinations are free for newborns, individuals with certain immune conditions, and for a specific population - newborns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who are also offered a free vaccine against the less common meningococcal B strain.
Source: NDTV News
