University freshers urged to learn the signs of meningitis
A Bristol mum who lost her son to the disease is calling for young people to learn the symptoms
A mother from Bristol, who lost her son to meningitis, is urging students to learn the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Michelle Bresnahan is sharing her son's heart-breaking story as students move into Bristol and Bath for Freshers' Week (15th September).
Ryan Bresnahan was just 16 years old when he died suddenly of meningitis, only an hour after complaining of an upset stomach.
Michelle left home to get her son food but returned to paramedics on the drive and her daughter crying on the front step.
"I was only gone for around an hour," said Michelle, "it happened so quickly - there was no before, during or after, it was just a complete change of our lives.
"My first thought was young babies get meningitis not strapping young men - it still doesn't seem possible for someone so fit."
Ryan was taken to hospital, where he died the same day.
His family have since set up a charity called A Life for a Cure, which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for research into the disease.
Since Ryan's death in 2010, a vaccine for Meningitis B has been made available.
Though it's not available on the NHS, Michelle is urging all students who can afford it to look into getting the vaccine and know how to spot the signs.
The signs and symptoms of meningitis:
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, typically caused by viral or bacterial infections.
It can affect anyone, but babies, 16-24 year olds and people over the age of 65 are particularly vulnerable.
Meningitis symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all.
Early symptoms of meningitis can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle pain
- Stomach cramps
- Fever with cold hands and feet
You can read more about the disease on the NHS website.