Home / Health / Bacterial Meningitis Nearly Claimed Her Life Twice
Bacterial Meningitis Nearly Claimed Her Life Twice
24 Mar
Summary
- Woman fell into a coma for eight days after initial meningitis diagnosis.
- Suffered permanent deafness and relearned to walk after nerve damage.
- Contracted meningitis a second time just three months later.
Hannah Ewing, 26, faced a life-threatening battle with bacterial meningitis, initially mistaking her severe symptoms for food poisoning in November 2024. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to an eight-day medically induced coma. Doctors confirmed pneumococcal meningitis, a particularly dangerous strain. The illness resulted in permanent deafness in her left ear, a hearing aid for her right, and significant physical rehabilitation to relearn walking after a nerve was caught during a lumbar puncture.
Just three months after her initial discharge, Hannah experienced a terrifying recurrence in March 2025. This second bout, though initially concerning for meningitis, was later attributed to lupus, identified after a rash appeared. The process of diagnosis for the second episode also led to nerve damage, necessitating extensive physiotherapy to regain mobility and manage ongoing back pain and balance issues.
Her ordeal left her with post-traumatic stress, including vivid flashbacks. Hannah emphasizes the critical importance of seeking immediate medical help, noting how quickly her condition escalated from flu-like symptoms to a life-threatening emergency. She advocates for awareness and support for those affected by meningitis, sharing her story to help others recognize the signs and act swiftly.
