By Ronny Karlsson
More information and, by extension, more people getting vaccinated. That’s what Anna Greig wishes after losing her 21-year-old son Hugo who suffered from meningococcal sepsis.
Anna Greig with a memory book about Hugo. In the background hangs his ju-jutsu suit. Photo: Ronny Karlsson
In just a few hours, Hugo Gunnarsson became seriously ill. Although doctors with great knowledge were on the spot, his life could not be saved.
Anna wants to see more information about meningitis and sepsis.
– I don’t want to scare people, but more people should be aware of the symptoms, she says.
She believes that increased knowledge would lead to more people getting vaccinated. It is especially important for children and young people who are most often affected by the disease.
– You have to pay for the vaccination yourself, but it is possible to get vaccinated and more people should do it.
In Hugo’s case, everything went very quickly. The symptoms can initially resemble a common cold, but then it can progress quickly.
Even for the doctors involved, it was a big challenge and Hugo’s life could not be saved.
– I met the whole team a year after Hugo had passed away. Then they told me that they went through the whole process several times to see if anything could be done differently. It also took a toll on them and they told us that they felt powerless when the disease progressed so quickly.
Anna wants the information to be directed at the platforms where young people are today, but also for parents to take it in and be aware of the disease.
Read more:
Anna lost her 21-year-old son: “Will always mourn”
Facts meningococcal infections and sepsis:
The invasive disease usually develops gradually over a day or two, but can also become life-threatening in a few hours. Incubation period: 2-10 days.
Common symptoms are:
* General malaise
* Shivering
* Fever
* Nausea
* Abdominal pain
* Vomiting
* Headache
* Muscle and joint pain
* Impaired alertness
A stiff neck is a sign of meningitis. In young children, lethargy, fatigue, irritability and fever may be initial symptoms. Many, but not all, get a rash.
Disease cases with the most violent course and highest mortality often lack signs of meningitis and are dominated by a picture of sepsis.
Sepsis can be described as an infection that causes acute life-threatening organ damage.
In case of sepsis and meningitis, intravenous antibiotics should be given immediately.
(Source: Internetmedicin.se)
