A 17-year-old from London nearly lost her life after a common cold developed into a rare and deadly brain infection, requiring emergency neurosurgery.
From a Headache to a Hospital Crisis
Sophie Bell, a pharmacy assistant from Enfield, had been feeling unwell for around a month in October. She experienced persistent cold-like symptoms and debilitating daily headaches that left her bedbound. On the morning of October 29, she woke up to discover her left eye was severely swollen and bulging.
"My eye was huge," Sophie recalled. "It had come out like a golf ball." Her mother, Carol Wright, initially thought the swelling was from Sophie rubbing her eye due to the headache pain. A visit to a walk-in centre resulted in a course of strong antibiotics, but Sophie's condition rapidly deteriorated.
A Fatal Diagnosis and Urgent Surgery
Instead of improving, Sophie's eye began oozing pus and her vision turned blurry. In excruciating pain, she was taken to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London before being urgently referred to The Royal London Hospital. There, she received a shocking diagnosis: orbital cellulitis.
This serious infection of the eye socket's soft tissues had been caused by a sinus infection, which itself developed from her original cold. Crucially, scans revealed the infection was starting to spread into her brain. Doctors warned the sixth-form student that her condition was life-threatening and could develop into meningitis.
"They said they hadn't seen anything like this in a while and I was a top priority in the hospital," Sophie said. "It was really daunting... They told me this could be fatal, I could be paralysed."
A 'Miraculous' Recovery and a Vital Warning
Sophie underwent a nine-hour emergency neurosurgery. Surgeons had to remove a section of her skull to access and eliminate the infection. Following the operation, she was treated in intensive care and is now recovering in hospital.
Her mother, Carol, described her world falling apart, feeling guilt for not seeking help sooner as Sophie's symptoms seemed to briefly improve. Now, Sophie is determined to raise awareness. "I never thought a common cold could turn into this," she stated.
Her advice to others is clear: "Don't leave things. If you think something is wrong, you're fully entitled to have it checked out. Trust yourself and your own instincts." Her story is a stark reminder of the potential severity of sinus infections and the importance of seeking persistent medical attention.
What is Orbital Cellulitis?
Orbital cellulitis is an infection of the fat and muscles surrounding the eye. Symptoms include:
- Redness and severe swelling around the eye and eyelids.
- Pain and an inability to open the eye.
- Bulging of the eye (proptosis).
- Blurred or double vision caused by increased pressure.
It is a medical emergency as the infection can spread to the brain or cause permanent vision loss by damaging the optic nerve.
