Matthew, 28, had what he thought was a really bad cold and tummy for a week and gradually went from bad to worse. Eventually, he felt like he was walking on pins and needles and was found to be unresponsive. He was admitted to hospital, where meningitis was diagnosed. Mum Michelle, from Bolton in Lancashire, recalls their story here.
“November 2024 will be permanently etched in our minds, especially the 2nd November, when we got the call from our son’s fiancée to say that he was unresponsive and that she’d rung for an ambulance. She’d been advised by her friend, a trainee consultant, to do the glass test as Matthew had developed a rash on his hands and feet.
“This turned out to be the defining factor to call for the ambulance immediately. Within 10 minutes, they were at their house and we were being kept updated as we made the longest two and a half hour drive to Nottingham, where they lived, from our home in Bolton.
“As we were travelling, Matthew was blue lighted into QMC in Nottingham and after many tests was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, in particular Gram-negative diplococcus … Neisseria meningitidis! The consultant wrote this down for us.
Placed into a coma
“Matthew was placed into an induced coma and given antibiotics in the hope that it would ease the swelling in his brain and the rash that was already continuing to spread. He was in ICU for three days. The day they tried to remove him from life support was a huge relief, as he finally came round and the treatment had worked!
“He was still incredibly poorly, and his hands and feet and arms and lower legs were covered in a rash so deep in colour. He was indeed a very lucky young man. His overall fitness and strength had certainly helped him, and despite him having had three immunisations (as a baby, again after his grandmother also contracted meningitis when he was 5, and at university), he still sadly contracted it. The consultant thought it could have been linked with a weak genetical point, as a great aunt had also had it. So, three family members. It left his Grandma completely deaf.
Long road ahead
“The road ahead for Matthew was going to be long but he was here, awake and being given such wonderful care we knew he would get there and go from strength to strength.
“The after-effects were that it had affected his heart rhythm, especially when resting. His scars, although unsightly, were healing and also being monitored and he was extremely tired with a painful neck and head (understandably).
“It took him a good six months before he was strong enough to return to work at home and on a phased return, but he had done it. And now he’s also in training to do his first 10k run in Nottingham in the next few months and back playing cricket and Gaelic football too this year.
“We still had our son, and without the swift actions of his fiancée, the consultants, the glass test and the NHS the ending could have been so different. For that, we will be eternally grateful.
“What we thought was just a really bad cold the week before had turned out to be him having contracted meningitis from an unknown carrier whilst sharing a dorm on a stag do in Liverpool. The carrier wouldn’t have known, and all those in close contact were given their emergency antibiotics with the help of Public Health England, who were very kind and supportive.
Continue to spread the word
“Since then, we have continued to spread the word about the need to be vigilant, to get vaccinated and to raise funds.
“Our daughter had missed out on her High School vaccination for MenACWY due to COVID and only realised when she was getting vaccinations for a holiday. Due to the history of her brother, she was given hers straight away too.
“This should automatically be given throughout life as, in our family it has hit three generations of differing ages. This illness isn’t selective of age … it will strike anyone.
“It’s made us more aware about how it’s not just babies and young people who can contract it, and how vital it is to have up-to-date immunisations. The glass test should be constantly shared also.
“We will continue as a family to spread the word and raise awareness and funds to support this vital cause. We hope our story will help others too.”
