Lisa Snowdon's Harrowing Meningitis Experience After Ignoring Warning Signs
Television presenter and DJ Lisa Snowdon has shared a chilling account of how she nearly died from meningitis after dismissing critical symptoms for almost a month. The 54-year-old broadcaster, known for her role on ITV's This Morning, described the ordeal as a profound wake-up call that continues to affect her health sixteen years later.
Ignored Symptoms and Critical Hospitalisation
Snowdon contracted a viral strain of meningitis in 2010, initially attributing her severe headaches, persistent fever, extreme fatigue, and freezing fingers and toes to mere exhaustion from her demanding schedule. At the time, she was co-hosting Capital Radio's Breakfast show with Johnny Vaughan, where she struggled with studio lights that left her feeling blinded.
In an interview with The Times, Snowdon recalled: "My neck was really stiff. I was waking up with a fever. I was freezing cold all the time. I'd lost my appetite completely. I was in agony." Despite these alarming signs, she admitted she "stupidly didn't listen to my body and get the help I needed" and simply "kept going."
After nearly four weeks of worsening symptoms, Snowdon was finally hospitalised and placed on an intravenous drip. Her condition deteriorated so rapidly that medical staff summoned her parents to "come and say goodbye," indicating the severity of her state. She spent ten days in hospital receiving intensive treatment.
Lasting Health Impacts and Charity Advocacy
Snowdon believes that delaying treatment for several weeks significantly exacerbated her illness. Even after recovery, she continues to experience debilitating headaches, chronic fatigue, and memory loss as direct consequences of the meningitis infection.
This traumatic experience propelled Snowdon into her role as president of the charity Meningitis Now, where she actively campaigns for broader access to the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine. Currently, the NHS only routinely offers this vaccination to infants, but Snowdon advocates for its extension to teenagers and young adults.
"It was so horrific to be that poorly for so long, frightening my family, frightening myself, and realising I have to look after myself," Snowdon reflected, describing the episode as "a huge wake-up call."
Kent Outbreak Triggers Painful Memories
Snowdon's story resurfaces amid a concerning meningitis B outbreak in Kent, which has infected 29 people and claimed the lives of two students. The broadcaster described news of the outbreak as "triggering," particularly as she learned about it while on a fundraising trek across the Sahara Desert with 30 others affected by meningitis.
"I was with families that had lost teenagers. It brought everything back," she said, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation.
Vaccination Rollout and Public Health Response
The family of 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, one of the two young victims in the Kent outbreak, has joined growing calls for a mass rollout of the MenB vaccine to adolescents and young adults. This follows scenes at the University of Kent's Canterbury campus, where over 100 students were turned away from a vaccination queue due to capacity constraints.
In response, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an expansion of eligibility criteria. The jab will now be offered to anyone who attended the nightclub linked to the outbreak between 5th and 15th March, alongside sixth-formers at four local schools and additional university students in Canterbury.
An urgent public health alert has been issued to NHS staff, urging heightened vigilance for meningitis symptoms. The outbreak underscores the ongoing importance of early detection and accessible vaccination programmes to prevent further tragedies.
