A TEENAGER died from meningitis just three days after falling ill and mistaking his symptoms for the flu.
Lewis Hilton, 19, was a fit and healthy man who enjoyed playing rugby.
But on January 26 this year he arrived at Halifax A&E unable to walk by himself or talk.
The infection took over his body and two days later, on January 28, Lewis, from Greetland in West Yorkshire, died of meningitis B – a strain not covered in NHS jabs.
Now his devastated parents, Tracey and Morley Hilton, calling for a vaccine to be offered to teenager and young adults.
“There are higher instances of meningitis among people of his age starting university because they pick up all sorts of infections as they come into contact with people from other parts of the country, which is why they were the first group to be offered the meningitis vaccination,” Tracey said.
“Lewis did have the injection last September but it didn’t cover the strain he had, which is meningitis B. The injection he had covers A, C, D and E.
“So, many people have had flu recently and you’d have thought that’s what it was until he got a headache in the morning and by then it was too late.
“They’ll never know how Lewis got it.
“We want to raise awareness that it can be so quick and so devastating.
“Nobody should go through this, and if we can help one person avoid it then we want to do that.”
Joiner Lewis was sent home from work by his dad after complaining of flu-like symptoms just three days before his death.
MORE THAN A RASH! What is meningitis, what are the symptoms of the condition, how do you get it and is there a vaccine?
The same night he woke up with a headache and took some painkillers, but by the morning it was worse.
When Tracey, 52, rang NHS 111 she realised the operator was talking her through meningitis symptoms.
“There was no rash, he was OK with light, the only thing on the list was he couldn’t put his chin to his chest,” she said.
“Then we took him straight to A&E and by the time we got there his headache was really bad.
“His leg was going numb and we had to help him walk in.
“We saw a nurse, by which time his other leg and his arms were going numb, and he couldn’t hold himself up.
“He was taken into a treatment area and by the time he was on the bed he couldn’t really speak.
“He was treated for viral and bacterial meningitis as they couldn’t test which it might be at that point.
“By 11 o’clock on Friday night he couldn’t breathe on his own so was on a ventilator.”
Since 2015 the meningitis B vaccine has been available to babies in the UK but the Government has previously ruled out offering the vaccine to all children because it is uncommon later in life.
Campaigners have called for it to be rolled out to other age groups as well.
A DEADLY CONDITION EASILY MISTAKEN FOR A HANGOVER
It can easily be mistaken for flu or a hangover in adults, but knowing the signs of meningitis can prove life-saving.
The deadly disease can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young kids and young adults.
Meningitis causes an inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord and can be triggered by bacteria or a virus.
If it is not treated quickly meningitis can develop in deadly septicaemia, or blood poisoning, that can cause permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
Around 3,200 people a year are diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and one in 10 die or are left with life-changing disabilities.
Viral forms of meningitis are less common and rarely life-threatening.
What are the key symptoms?
The symptoms of meningitis can develop very quickly, and include:
- a high fever – over 37.5 degrees (the average temperature)
- being sick
- a headache
- a blotchy rash that won’t fade when a glass is rolled over it
- stiffness, especially in the neck
- drowsiness, irritability or a lack of energy
- cold hands and feet
- seizures
In babies the symptoms can be slightly different, they may:
- refuse to eat
- be agitated and not want to be picked up
- having a bulging soft spot on their head
- be floppy and inresponsive
- have an unusual, high-pitched cry
- have a stiff body
Source: Meningitis Research Foundation
Paying tribute to Lewis, who played rugby for the Old Rishworthians club, manager of the development squad Dave McDonnell said he had the “heart of a lion”.
“As a coach I have had the pleasure to watch Lewis grow from a skinny six-year-old, play through the age groups to Colts, and then become a regular in the club’s development team,” he said.
“Lewis was a very pleasant young boy who was always keen to train and play his chosen game.
MORE ON MENINGITIS
“I am honoured to have seen him grow into an affable, humorous young man, who I am pleased to call my friend.
“As a member of the senior squad, he was a well-liked character, self-effacing, slight in stature for a hooker, but with the heart of a lion, and the ultimate team player.
“You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who had a bad word against him.
“I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, compassion and support from the rugby community throughout the county and beyond, and I know that we will all miss him dearly.”
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