A university student who initially dismissed her severe headache as mere freshers' flu from excessive socialising was left horrified to discover she had contracted life-threatening meningitis. The dramatic diagnosis nearly cost the young woman both her legs, serving as a stark warning to others about the dangers of ignoring symptoms.
A Terrifying Misdiagnosis
Lara Drew, then a 22-year-old drama student, believed her pounding headache was simply the result of "going out too much" during her freshers' period. She treated the discomfort with paracetamol and attempted to sleep it off, unaware that she was actually suffering from streptococcal meningitis.
The situation escalated rapidly when Lara woke in "agonising" pain with extreme light sensitivity—a classic meningitis symptom. Within hours, she began experiencing violent seizures and uncontrollable vomiting, prompting her frantic parents to rush her to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent.
Minutes From Death
Medical professionals conducted a lumbar puncture that confirmed the bacterial meningitis diagnosis. Shockingly, doctors informed Lara's parents that their daughter was merely thirty minutes away from death when she arrived at the hospital.
Lara spent ten critical days hospitalized on an IV drip, followed by extensive physiotherapy to regain her ability to walk. The aspiring performer faced the terrifying prospect of losing her legs to the infection, which would have ended her dancing career.
Recovery and Warning
Now recovered and working as a pilates instructor, Lara has issued an urgent message to young people: "Don't take any risks, look after yourself, if you feel poorly don't risk it. The NHS is there and we are so privileged to have it, make the most of it and look out for your loved ones, because you could save their lives."
She described her harrowing experience: "I was trying to drink the bucket I was throwing up in, just acting insane, like a crazy person. I was having a massive fit on the floor. My dad picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. My eyes rolled back, I was completely lifeless."
Kent Outbreak Context
Lara's story emerges against the backdrop of a meningitis outbreak in Kent that has claimed two young lives, including sixth form college student Juliette Kenny. However, cases have been declining as vaccination rates increase among young people, including University of Kent students.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting recently praised the country's "Herculean efforts" to protect the public. Current statistics show 9,360 people have received Meningitis B vaccinations while 12,733 have been administered antibiotics as preventive measures.
Vaccination Gap
According to NHS information, bacterial meningitis—though rarer than viral meningitis—poses significantly greater risks, potentially leading to sepsis or brain damage. Since the MenB vaccine introduction in 2015, infections have dropped approximately 75% among vaccinated individuals.
However, a concerning gap exists: those above age eleven remain unprotected unless their parents have privately funded the vaccination. This leaves many teenagers and young adults vulnerable during their university years when close living conditions can facilitate disease spread.
Lara's experience underscores the critical importance of recognizing meningitis symptoms early and seeking immediate medical attention. Her recovery serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the NHS's lifesaving capabilities during health emergencies.
