A woman who nearly died after contracting meningitis while at university is warning new students to beware of the disease’s symptoms as cases soar across the country.
Alice Jenkins initially thought she had sustained a netball injury while studying at the University of Edinburgh in 2022.
But her condition quickly deteriorated and she was raced to hospital in an ambulance thanks to the quick thinking of her friends and family.
Cases of meningitis in Scotland have risen sharply, and Alice is now urging students to recognise the symptoms and get vaccinated as many begin, or return, to university this month.
“When I woke up that Wednesday, my muscles were in agony, but I thought it was just from a fall in a netball match a few days before,” said Alice.
“I remember one of my closest friends Kirstin coming in with our friend Orla and panicking when she saw me. I told her I couldn’t feel my hand. I tried to eat a biscuit and threw it up.
“I was throwing up black bile. Kirstin kept asking where my doctor was and I felt like I was trapped inside my body, unable to move or talk, just kind of watching things and then falling asleep.
“When I next woke up there were five doctors above me and I was in a different room. They said they were testing for meningitis and were talking about what they were going to do and the risks.
“I remember hearing of the possibility of being paralysed or losing limbs but I didn’t really care, I thought I was going to die at this point.”
Medics confirmed Alice, then aged 19, had meningitis and needed a course of antibiotics. She was then transferred to the infectious diseases ward at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
There were 39 cases of meningococcal disease in Scotland in the first half of 2024, compared with 24 cases for the same period in 2023, according to data released by Public Health Scotland earlier this month.
It is an uncommon but serious illness that causes meningitis and bloodstream infections.
There were 15 cases in 2022, five in 2021, 24 in 2020 and 32 in 2019.
Meningitis itself is an inflammation of the lining around your brain and spinal cord and can be spread through sneezing, coughing, and kissing
And that is why Alice says new students arriving to begin the next stage of their life at university should take precautions.
“It’s kind of crazy to realise how lucky I was,” she told STV News.
“I never paid attention to it and now it’s really scary because every year I hear of people getting meningitis – in the halls that I was in as well.
“It’s really upsetting and to kind of know the main thing is once you know the symptoms and the signs, you can get that help and you can save your life.
“With bacterial meningitis, it kills you within hours. With the amount of socialising you are doing at university, of course, you are at risk.
“Don’t take your health for granted. I think at university we all go out and push ourselves and work really hard and play sport as well to the point where you’re actually not taking care of your body as you should be.”
Some Scottish health boards have already urged students to ensure their vaccinations are up to date before heading off to college or university.
The charity Meningitis Now said it was concerned by the recent data from Public Health Scotland indicating that Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) is returning to pre-pandemic levels in Scotland.
A spokesperson said: “Figures from the last full calendar year and the first quarters of this year show a worrying rise in cases, with Meningitis B remaining the most prevalent group causing disease.
“While overall numbers remain low, this increase highlights the ongoing threat of meningitis. We urge the public to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of the disease. Vaccinations remains the most effective defence against this potentially life-threatening illness.
“Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and requires urgent medical attention. It is crucial to act fast if you suspect symptoms, as early diagnosis and treatment can save lives. With Meningitis cases on the rise, we must all play our part in staying informed and protected.
“For further information on how to recognise the symptoms and the importance of vaccination, please visit our website at meningitisnow.org“.
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