Lisa Snowdon's Terrifying Meningitis Ordeal Left Her Unable to Walk and Near Death
This Morning fashion presenter Lisa Snowdon has opened up about a horrifying battle with meningitis that left her unable to walk and brought her perilously close to death. The 54-year-old television star shared her harrowing experience with hosts Ben Shephard and Alison Hammond on the ITV show, detailing how the infection struck over a decade ago.
A Decade-Old Trauma Resurfaces
Lisa explained that she contracted viral meningitis in October 2010, an infection that attacks the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Initially dismissing symptoms like severe headaches, a stiff neck, and high fever as mere exhaustion, she overlooked them for almost a month. "I remember this crippling headache that was just blinding, and I stupidly just kept battling on," she recalled, noting she continued working at a radio station despite the agony.
Her condition deteriorated rapidly, with fevers drenching her bed covers, persistent neck stiffness, and cold extremities. Lisa described how lights in the studio became blinding—a classic sign of meningitis—before she ultimately collapsed. "I felt like I had nothing left in the tank, and then I couldn't walk, I was just absolutely broken," she said, recounting her rush to hospital.
Diagnosis and Dire Warnings
Upon admission, doctors diagnosed her with viral meningitis, but complications arose due to the delayed treatment and an accompanying case of glandular fever. It was only after a scan revealed swelling in her brain that the severity became clear. Lisa revealed the chilling moment medical staff informed her parents to "say their goodbyes," as she lay barely conscious and fighting for her life. "The doctors didn't know what was wrong with your daughter," they told her family, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the illness.
Lisa emphasized that meningitis is not limited to the young, debunking a common misconception. "We think of meningitis as something that affects very young people, toddlers and children, but it can strike anybody," she warned, urging greater public awareness.
Lasting Effects and Awareness Campaign
The aftermath of her illness has left lasting impacts, including difficulty concentrating, chronic fatigue, and severe headaches. Despite these challenges, Lisa considers herself fortunate to have survived, noting that many others do not walk out of hospital. Now serving as president of Meningitis Now, she is planning a life-changing trek across the Sahara Desert to raise funds and awareness for the cause. "It's going to be a life-changing trek to help raise money," she concluded.
Alarming Statistics on Meningitis in England
Recent data underscores the urgency of Lisa's message. In 2022, England recorded 396 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), including 33 deaths—a near doubling from 205 cases the previous year during COVID-19 restrictions. Pre-pandemic figures from 2018-2019 show 525 cases, indicating a persistent threat. The highest incidence rates are among 15 to 19-year-olds and 45 to 65-year-olds, reinforcing that the disease spans all age groups.
Symptoms to watch for include:
- Sudden high fever with shivering and extreme fatigue
- Intense headaches worse than any previous experience
- Stiff neck preventing forward bending without pain
- Sensitivity to bright light, nausea, and vomiting
- Confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, or seizures
- A purplish rash that does not fade when pressed
In babies, symptoms may be vaguer, such as refusal to feed, irritability, lethargy, or a weak cry. The NHS advises that meningitis can lead to life-threatening sepsis and permanent neurological damage if not treated promptly, though vaccinations offer some protection.
Lisa's revelation comes amid recent controversy on This Morning, where viewers criticized her fashion segment for outfitting weight loss makeover guests in what they deemed "hideous" outfits. However, her personal health story shifts focus to a critical public health issue, highlighting the devastating realities of meningitis and the importance of early detection.
