The mother of a 19-year-old who died shortly after returning from a music festival with a ‘headache’ said she thought her daughter had ‘overdone it’ at first.
Livia Wilson had attended Manchester’s Parklife festival in 2022 and died in her sleep a few days after returning home to York.
The 19-year-old had managed to make it to a shift at work before being sent home due to feeling unwell and went to bed saying she’d take a Covid test in the morning, but never woke up.
Her mum Alison Goude had to wait for weeks to find out what happened to her daughter, and was eventually told that Livia had contracted meningitis B, an infection which can be fatal.
What is meningitis?
The NHS has a list of signs to look out for when it comes to spotting the signs, though they warn that not all symptoms may present themselves and they say you should seek medical help immediately if you fear you have it.
Meningitis is often spread through mucus, so can be transmitted by sneezing, coughing and kissing, or by sharing straws in a drink, and it is usually spread by people who aren’t infected by the disease but have the bacteria from it in their nose or throat.
19-year-old Livia Wilson died after contracting meningitis B. (SWNS)
Around one in 10 cases of meningitis is fatal according to the NHS, and there are all sorts of signs which could appear in any order.
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
A rash that starts as small red pinpricks and quickly spreads is considered one of the more common signs of meningitis, and patches of pale, mottled or blotchy skin should also be taken as potential signs.
According to health experts these signs can be harder to see on black and brown skin and you should pay particular attention to paler parts such as the palms of hands and soles of feet.
They recommend that you check a rash by pressing a glass against it, and if the spots don’t fade that could be a sign of sepsis which means you should seek medical attention right away.
Other signs to look out for are headaches, a feeling of confusion, a high temperature, cold hands and feet, vomiting, pain in the muscles and joints as well as a higher rate of breathing.
Meningitis may also result in a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, a feeling of sleepiness and seizures.
In 2015 a meningitis vaccine for babies was introduced. (Frank Bienewald/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Babies suffering from meningitis will also have some symptoms that may present themselves such as refusing food, being irritable with a high pitched cry, having either a stiff body or being floppy and unresponsive and in some cases having a bulging soft spot on the top of the head.
What to do if you suspect you have meningitis
The NHS stresses that meningitis can get worse very quickly so if you think you have it you should ‘trust your instincts’ and not wait for further symptoms to appear.
Instead you should either call 999 or get yourself to A&E as soon as possible.
Meningitis is an infection which attacks the brain and spinal cord, and the NHS estimates that between one third and one half of people who survive it will be left with a permanent affliction.
The health service says that around one in 10 cases are fatal, while some of those who survive will suffer from long-term heath issues like partial or total hearing loss, partial or total vision loss, epilepsy, problems with memory or learning, issues with co-ordination and balance as well as issues with the kidneys.
In some cases amputation of limbs is required to stop the infection from spreading.
Featured Image Credit: SWNS/Getty Stock Image
Topics: Health, NHS, UK News
Joe Harker
Doctor shares warning signs a common ‘pimple’ may actually be deadly skin cancer
Dr Karan Rajan explained why you need to check your skin often
Now that the sun is shining, there is an under appreciated warning being given to the public who might be skipping out on their daily dose of SPF.
If you’re finding little spots and think there’s nothing to them, you don’t want to risk being wrong.
That’s because Dr Karan Rajan is reminding beachgoers that failing to put on your sun cream could increase your risk of getting skin cancer – and a seemingly innocent pimple is how it could start.
Dr Karan Rajan explained what skin cancer could look like. Instagram/ @drkaranrajan
He explained through an Instagram video that if you have a persistent pimple that refuses to disappear, it’s time to go get it checked out.
In the clip, which shows a small spot on a woman’s face, he said that a ‘pimple’ that doesn’t disappear or heal is something that needs to be looked at by a professional.
That’s because it could be skin cancer.
While skin cancer spots can develop anywhere, it’s more frequently found on areas of the body like the back, neck, shoulders, hands, legs, head, face, and ears.
In another picture on the video, it showed a similar spot which looks like a pimple but is actually a basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which is one of the most common forms of skin cancer.
He explained that they have ‘rolled pearly edges’ and you could see thinks like ulcerations or blood vessels within.
Even though they look like dry patches, they won’t go away with anti-fungal treatment or creams, which is how you know it’s something a little more serious.
Even though skin cancer is usually depicted as black or brown patches that change shape or colour, BCC are ‘slow growing’ and blend in with the skin around it.
He explained that this pimple was actually BCC. Instagram/ @drkaranrajan
Dr Rajan went on to point out what it would look like on darker skin and various different forms skin cancer can take.
Since posting, the video has gained tens of thousands of views, likes and comments thanks to him raising much-needed awareness on this topic and many viewers went on to comment their own experience with skin cancer.
One viewer commented: “I have had one of those on my nose for like five years.” Meanwhile, another person mentioned their proactive approach, writing: “I get my skin checked every other year.”
It can take on many different forms. Instagram/ @drkaranrajan
Another wrote: “This skin check is essential for maintaining healthy and glowing skin. Thank you for the reminder.”
The NHS confirms that BCC and another non-melanoma skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is common and although it’s usually treatable, is caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light which you can get from the sun or sun beds.
A key sign of non-melanoma skin cancer is the appearance of a lump or discoloured patch on the skin that persists.
Dr Rajan also talks about common myths with the body such as the link between sex and vaginal ‘loose-ness’ (not true) and healthy foods.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Health, Instagram, NHS, Cancer
Britt Jones
Doctor reveals five signs on your face that could indicate serious health issues
Dr Donald Grant explains that signs could range from a deficiency to liver issues
It’s easy to look at your face everyday and brush off what you might think are common ailments, but it could mean you’re missing some worrying symptoms.
Thankfully, a doctor has come out to reveal five signs of serious health problems that all present themselves in your facial area.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy told The Mirror that these signs could range anywhere from a vitamin deficiency to serious liver disease, and that changes in the face can mean bad things for your health.
Dr Grant explained: “From vitamin deficiency to liver disease, our faces can often signify a range of health issues. Understanding how the face can indicate health is an effective way of spotting conditions early and receiving the best treatment.”
Here’s what you need to keep an eye on:
A puffy or swollen face
If you’ve been feeling a little puffy and sore, it could be an issue.
Dr Grant explained that ‘facial swelling can often be a sign of minor health issues such as hay fever or other allergic reactions. However, puffy faces may also indicate fluid retention – a common sign of kidney complications.’
He added: “A swollen face could also be a sign of conditions such as cellulitis, a skin infection that makes the skin appear red and swollen. This infection can occur all over the body, including on the face. To treat cellulitis, a GP can prescribe antibiotics with the infection usually clearing up after around a week of treatment.”
Do you have a persistent rash? Get it checked out. (Getty Stock Images)
Pale skin
He’s not talking about us gingers…
The doctor said that ‘chronic illnesses, poor diet or vitamin deficiency can all lead to paleness in the skin.’
He explained: “This is often due to a lack of red blood cells or haemoglobin, leading to discolouration in the face. If you’re suffering from pale skin, incorporate iron-rich foods into your diet such as red meat, beans and lentils.”
Yellow skin or eyes
If you’ve woken up looking like a lemon, there’s a serious reason.
Dr Grant shared that if they become yellow it could be ‘an indicator of jaundice’.
He explained that jaundice occurs when ‘the amount of bilirubin builds in the body. Jaundice can be caused by a range of health issues such as liver disease, hepatitis or sickle cell disease.’
“As jaundice can signify a range of health implications, it’s crucial to seek medical advice from a qualified GP to understand the root causes behind the facial changes,” Dr Grant added.
Maybe your dry skin isn’t a weather issue. (Getty Stock Images)
A rash
Rashes can be a bother, but if it doesn’t go away, it could spell trouble.
“Persistent rashes on the face may indicate lupus, an autoimmune disease. These rashes tend to appear on the nose and cheeks before spreading to the arms and chest,” he said.
The doc shared: “Lupus is a long-term condition that can be diagnosed through blood tests, it’s essential to seek urgent medical attention if you feel you may have developed this disease. Aside from lupus, a facial rash could be a sign of allergies or rosacea.”
Dry lips or skin
When your ChapStick doesn’t work like it used to for your lips, maybe it’s more than just changing seasons causing your issue.
Dr Grant said: “Lastly, while dry lips or skin can often be a sign of changing weather conditions or ageing, it’s also caused by dehydration. Signs of dehydration include flushed skin, dry cough, thirst and dark yellow pee. It’s important to maintain a healthy water intake throughout the day, adjusting accordingly when temperatures start to rise.
“Overall, it’s important to be aware of the different health indicators our faces provide. By understanding the common signs of illness or infection, people can receive early medical treatment to minimise symptoms.”
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s never an issue to book yourself in with your GP to check it out.
Featured Image Credit: Getty stock
Topics: Health, NHS, News, UK News
Britt Jones
NHS shares cancer signs to look out for as woman who ignored ‘embarrassing symptom’ gets sad diagnosis
It’s useful to know what to look out for.
A woman who was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer ended up sharing her story in the hopes that others wouldn’t overlook symptoms as she did.
Jelena Tompkins noticed something was off in 2016, but dismissed the warning signs as she was otherwise healthy.
At her annual check up, she told her doctor about the blood and they thought it might be because of her diet, but months later as doctors tried to figure out whether a specific food was causing the blood, she went in for a colonoscopy.
Jelena thought the early symptoms may be due to her diet. (Instagram/@colorado.jelena)
The results came back as stage 3 cancer, leading her to go in for 28 days of chemotherapy and then surgery to remove the tumour, which resulted in 12 inches of her colon being removed along with 17 lymph nodes.
“I was in some of the best shape of my life. I ate healthily and never thought that cancer would strike me at such a young age,” she’d told The Patient Story of her diagnosis.
Her symptom was a bit embarrassing as her gas smelled worse than usual, but at first she put it down to her healthy, leafy diet.
She took probiotics to improve the bacteria in her gut but this did nothing to improve the smell, and it wasn’t until Jelena noticed blood in her stool that triggered her worries.
She now goes through regular scans, and shared her story in the hopes that others might spot the signs earlier.
Being aware of the possible signs is one of the best things you can do, and thankfully the NHS has a pretty clear list of the possible symptoms of bowel cancer, which you can check whenever you like.
A lot of the symptoms are to do with your poo, so blood in it is one possible sign as are changes to what you’d consider to be normal pooing for yourself.
Feeling a pain or a lump can be one of the symptoms, and you shouldn’t be embarrassed to talk about it. (Getty Stock Photo)
The NHS said if your poo feels softer or you have diarrhoea or unusual constipation those could be signs, as might needing to go to the toilet more or less then you usually would.
Feeling like you still need to go when you’ve just been is another possible symptom, as is blood coming from your rear, end even if you’ve not been to the loo.
Other symptoms can include pain in your belly, or feeling what could possibly be a lump in there.
If you’re bloating or losing weight without trying then those are other symptoms to be watching out for, as is feeling very tired for no reason.
If you have these symptoms and they persist for three weeks or more, then the NHS would like you to see a GP.
“Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms,” is their advice for those worried about discussing it.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Featured Image Credit: Getty stock image/Instagram/@colorado.jelena
Topics: Cancer, Health, NHS, UK News
Joe Harker
Dad of woman killed by her ottoman bed speaks out on heartbreaking detail around her death
Seaham mum Helen Davey was suffocated to death in her home in June
The father of a woman who died tragically earlier in the year after being suffocated by her ottoman bed spoke about his family’s heartbreak.
A coroner issued a warning over ottoman beds after 39-year-old Helen Davey died at her Seaham home on 6 June, suffocated after she leaned over the storage area of the bed and the mattress platform ‘unexpectedly’ fell on top of her.
The mother of two suffocated after becoming trapped by the bed, pinned between the mattress platform and the base of the bed, leading a coroner to urge the government to take ‘urgent’ action to stop this from happening to anyone else.
Helen’s 19-year-old daughter found her trapped and tried to free her, but when paramedics arrived they pronounced the woman dead at her home.
39-year-old Helen Davey died in a tragic accident earlier this year. (Instagram)
Her death was ruled as accidental, and police investigating found that one of the pistons on the gas-lift bed which made it easier to lift had been ‘defective’.
Helen’s father Robert Casson said his daughter had been ‘very independent, a strong individual with strong opinions and fiercely loyal’ at the inquest, and her daughter Elizabeth said she’d been a ‘best friend’ to her children.
According to Chronicle Live, her father spoke out on the heartbreak of losing his daughter to the tragic accident, having previously lost his son Luke in similarly tragic circumstances years earlier when he died in a moped accident at the age of 16.
The 39-year-old was laid to rest alongside her brother’s ashes, and her father said that ‘no words can cover’ the loss the family had suffered.
Speaking ahead of the funeral, Robert had said: “Our hearts are broken as we bury our two beloved kids today. Helen, only 39, died 6 June 2024. Luke was 16 and died 21 May 2011.
“Both lost in tragic accidents and will be missed our whole lives. Our love and thanks go out to everyone who has contacted us with messages, cards and flowers.
Her father said that he had lost both of his children to terrible accidents (Facebook)
“There are no words that cover it.”
Durham and Darlington senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield wrote in his report that the ottoman bed mechanism that can fail ‘presents a risk to life’.
He said: “In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken, in the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said they would aim to prevent future tragedies, saying: “This is a horrible tragedy and we’d like to express our sympathy to Helen’s friends and family.
“We’re carefully considering the coroner’s report to understand the circumstances in this case and if there is anything we can do to prevent tragedies like this in the future we will respond fully before the deadline.”
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Facebook
