Former Manchester United and England winger Lee Sharpe has bravely shared details of his harrowing battle with meningitis, which left him fearing for his life. The 52-year-old football legend opened up about the terrifying ordeal, revealing how he initially mistook his symptoms for a less serious illness.
A Terrifying Health Scare
Sharpe explained that he first noticed something was wrong when he developed severe headaches and began vomiting uncontrollably. "I thought it was just a bad hangover at first," the ex-footballer admitted, "but then the symptoms got progressively worse."
Recognising the Danger Signs
The former Leeds United player described how his condition rapidly deteriorated: "I started getting really bad neck pain and became sensitive to light. That's when my partner insisted we go to hospital." Medical professionals quickly diagnosed Sharpe with meningitis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Critical Condition and Recovery
Sharpe spent several days in hospital receiving intensive treatment. "There were moments when I genuinely thought I might die," he revealed. "The doctors told me I was lucky to have come in when I did."
The three-time Premier League winner has since made a full recovery but admits the experience has changed his perspective on life. "It makes you appreciate every day," Sharpe reflected. "I'm just grateful to be here and able to spend time with my family."
Warning to Others
Now fully recovered, Sharpe is using his platform to raise awareness about meningitis symptoms. "If I can help even one person recognise the signs earlier than I did, it's worth sharing my story," he said. The football pundit particularly emphasised the importance of acting quickly when symptoms like severe headache, neck stiffness and light sensitivity appear together.
Sharpe's health scare comes years after his retirement from professional football, where he made 265 appearances for Manchester United between 1988 and 1996, winning multiple trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson.
