BBC Sport star left in coma and nearly dies in meningitis battle as symptoms shared
Seema Jaswal has spoken about her battle with meningitis at the age of just 16 which left her in a coma, after a recent outbreak of the infection in Kent. The 41-year-old, who presents the BBC's snooker coverage, was in her teenage years when she was hit by an aggressive case of meningitis B.
As a result, the was left in a coma, while her parents were told to expect the worst. Thankfully, Jaswal was able to make a full recovery, and is now urging people to educate themselves on meningitis while pleading with the government to make vaccinations mandatory.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, she said: "It changed my outlook on things. I feel so grateful that I've been given a second chance.
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"I spent a couple of weeks in hospital and lost a lot of weight. I felt completely drained but being 16 I just wanted to get back to normal life.
"I was so lucky that I was able to do that. If you have Meningitis B, many people come out of it with something that could be long-lasting: a disability, you lose a limb, lose your sight or hearing. That happens to a lot of people."
Studying for her A-Levels at the time, Jaswal's first symptom of the infection was a headache, which worsened to the point that her mother, Raziya, called upon a doctor. That medical professional ultimately passed it off as a bout of flu, but as Jaswal became sensitive to light, her mother feared that it was actually meningitis - calling an ambulance.
Jaswal explained: "She called the ambulance. The paramedics came and took me to hospital.
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"I don't remember any of this part. I was in a coma for between 24 and 48 hours.
"My parents were told all of the worst things that might be the outcome. I cannot thank my mother enough for acting so quickly.
"The doctor himself said I had the flu. The signs can be very similar at the beginning to a flu.
"When you're on the go non-stop, you just put it down to that. My mum really trusted her instinct. You've got to trust your instinct.
"If something doesn't feel quite right, even if it's a degree off a normal cold or flu, you've got to run with it and get it checked. That's my advice."
What are the symptoms of meningitisAs per the NHS, the symptoms of meningitis are:
- A high temperature (fever)
- Being sick
- A headache
- A rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
- A stiff neck
- A dislike of bright lights
- Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Seizures (fits)