Meningitis in your words

Jo Elliott's story

  • Location: UK
  • Categories: Viral
  • Age: Adult 25-59
  • Relationship: Self
  • Outcome: Recovery with after effects
  • After effects: Hearing problems
Jo Elliott
Early March 2021, I awoke from a lunchtime snooze and felt a horrible sensation in my head.

Within a day the headache turned into 100’s of head spasms an hour which were excruciating. I spent 11.5 hrs in A & E awaiting scans and admission, which was just awful. I had a CT scan then after admission it took days to get the lumbar puncture which confirmed viral meningitis.

I had been treated with anti viral iv’s but they didn’t work, I struggled with ongoing spasms in my head wondering what would happen if they didn’t go away? What kind of life would that be?

I spent 16 days in hospital in the middle of the covid pandemic but with temperatures at 40 degrees and crying in pain. I reached out to Meningitis Research Foundation as I felt so on my own and didn’t know what the future would hold, I needed answers.

Jo Elliott
April 2021

Detailed information about the after effects of meningitis

Many of the after effects of meningitis aren't immediately obvious. In this blog, Support Manager Cat explains how we can help.
Stories that inspire us to create a world free from the diseases.

Whether you are living with the after effects of the diseases or coping with the death of a loved one, we are here for you.

Provide a lifeline for those in need
Provide a lifeline for those in need
£6/€7.20/$8 pays for a 30 minute call from a trained support officer.

They listen to the issues faced by someone struggling with the impact of meningitis, and provide detailed information and support.
Membership and support

The MRF Membership and Support team are here for you for any questions you might have about meningitis and septicaemia and their effects on you, or your family and friends.

Tel: Helpline UK 080 8800 3344 Ireland 1800 41 33 44