Teenager, 18, almost died from meningitis after 'sharing a vape'

A teenager who was left comatose has said she almost died from meningitis and believes she caught it after sharing a vape and drinks on a night out.

Sian Alderton, 18, caught bacterial meningitis - a rare infection that causes inflammation around the brain - after going out with friends in Norwich, Norfolk.

"Everything happened so quickly when we arrived at the hospital. Sian was put into an induced coma and the doctors and consultants told us Sian was very poorly. We would need to prepare for the worst and to say our goodbyes as she may not come out of the coma," said her mother Ms Durrant, 36.

Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis:

• A high temperature
• Being sick
• A headache
• A rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it
• A stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light

Ms Alderton went out on October 18 to two clubs with her friends where she shared a vape with them. The doctors treating her explained it might have come from sharing a drink or vape or kissing somebody while she was out but they couldn't pinpoint the cause.

"I'm not a heavy drinker and prefer the socialising of going out. I had three or four drinks. I shared my vape with three mutual friends and this is not unusual as everyone shares vapes on a night out," Ms Alderton said.

She initially thought she had a sickness bug when she began vomiting after having a Chinese takeaway in the evening. However, by the next day, red spots appeared on her body.

"The last thing I remember is walking into the hospital entrance," Ms Alderton recalled. "I know I was aching and it was hard to move so I sat in a wheelchair but then it gets blurry."

Her mother noticed these symptoms: "By lunch time Sian was complaining of a headache and drinking lots of water. When pulling back her duvet for comfort, I noticed red spots like chicken pox or insect bites but smooth to touch."

"During the 20-minute car journey, Sian started holding her head saying 'It hurt really bad' and then developed more rash on her neck that turned purple," added Ms Durrant.

Within four hours of arriving at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Sian was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and placed into an induced coma for four days.

"When I woke up... I had bacterial meningococcus or meningitis... It was one of very few cases seen by this hospital," stated Ms Alderton.

The teenager spent 14 days in hospital before passing her driving test less than one week post-discharge.
The family expressed gratitude towards NNUH staff involved in Sian’s care across A&E resus ICU Heydon Ward departments: “They are amazing.”