Meningitis Misdiagnosed as Food Poisoning Nearly Killed Essex Woman Twice
A young woman from Essex who contracted bacterial meningitis on two separate occasions has revealed how she initially believed her severe symptoms were merely a case of food poisoning. Hannah Ewing, aged 26, endured a life-threatening ordeal that left her in a medically induced coma for eight days, permanently deaf in one ear, and grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder.
From Vomiting to Coma: A Rapid Decline
On November 3, 2024, Hannah began experiencing intense vomiting and diarrhoea at her home in Harlow, Essex. Assuming it was a severe bout of food poisoning, she remained in bed for two days. However, her condition deteriorated rapidly when she started showing signs of delirium on the evening of November 4, speaking incoherently and behaving erratically.
Her fiancé, Ryan, grew increasingly concerned and contacted NHS 111, which arranged for an ambulance in the early hours of November 5. Paramedics noted her aggressive behaviour, which was entirely out of character, leading doctors at the accident and emergency department to initially suspect drug-induced psychosis.
Diagnosis and Medically Induced Coma
Thanks to persistent advocacy from Ryan and Hannah's mother, Christine, further medical tests were conducted. Hannah was transferred to the intensive care unit and placed into a medically induced coma. A lumbar puncture confirmed she had pneumococcal meningitis, one of the most dangerous forms of bacterial meningitis.
"I was in a coma for a total of eight days, and then when I started to wake up, my brain still wasn't functioning properly," Hannah recounted. "At the stage when I was in the coma, they actually didn't know if I was going to make it or not, or if I was going to be permanently brain damaged for the rest of my life."
Lasting Physical and Psychological Effects
Upon emerging from the coma, Hannah faced significant challenges. She was completely deaf in her left ear and had lost 20 percent of her hearing in her right ear, necessitating a hearing aid. Weak muscles from eight days of inactivity meant she had to relearn how to walk, a process complicated by nerve damage sustained during the lumbar puncture.
Psychologically, the experience left deep scars. Hannah suffered from terrifying delusions during her delirium, believing hospital staff were trying to poison her. "I get flashbacks to the visions that I was having of people trying to kill me and stuff, which was, I know, not real, but it felt so real, and really scary," she explained, highlighting the post-traumatic stress she continues to endure.
A Second Bout and Lupus Diagnosis
In March 2025, just three months after her initial discharge, Hannah's nightmare recurred. She developed a rash and began vomiting and speaking gibberish again. Ryan rushed her to A&E, where she was immediately administered antibiotics. A subsequent lumbar puncture confirmed a recurrence of meningitis.
Further medical investigation revealed that the rash was caused by lupus, an autoimmune condition, rather than meningitis. The lumbar puncture procedure, which took ten attempts due to her delirium, resulted in nerve damage that impaired sensation in her lower body, requiring six months of physiotherapy to regain mobility.
Support and Advocacy
Hannah found crucial support through the Meningitis Research Foundation, which assisted with audiology assessments and mental health resources via NHS Talking Therapies. "They were so supportive, and I didn't feel so alone at that point," she said. Her fiancé and brother-in-law are now fundraising for the charity by running the London Marathon, having raised £5,000 so far.
Reflecting on recent meningitis outbreaks, such as the one in Kent that claimed two young lives, Hannah expressed fear and emphasised the importance of awareness. "I think if I wasn't with my fiancé when I got ill, I would have died," she stated. "It was a space of 24 hours from when I thought I just had food poisoning to me being blue-lighted into the hospital."
Expert Advice on Meningitis
Caroline Hughes, support services manager for the Meningitis Research Foundation, underscored the critical need for vaccination and vigilance. "Vaccines provide vital protection against the most common causes of meningitis and are offered to people at the times of their life when they are most vulnerable," she said.
"It's also important to know that, while meningitis vaccines provide vital protection against the most severe forms of the disease, they do not cover every strain. That's why it's vital that everyone knows the signs and symptoms, which in the early stages can easily be mistaken for flu, Covid-19, or even a hangover."
Hannah's story serves as a stark reminder of the rapid progression of meningitis and the necessity of seeking immediate medical attention for suspicious symptoms, regardless of initial assumptions.
