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21-year-old Jennifer Gray had developed a cough and sore throat, but the symptoms never worsened enough for her to raise proper concern. She didn’t need pain relievers, and could still attend all her university activities without problem.
Gray felt well enough even to go out with her friends, so she hit up a club with some friends – which is when she began to feel increasingly unwell. Her friends recall that she was sick at one point and then ducked out to return home early.
On the following day, Gray continued to experience the same headache, sore joints, and vomiting as she had last night, but simply attributed it to the alcohol and overexertion from the previous day.
Just the next day, Gray woke up with a sore head and neck – neither of which would lessen even after she took painkillers. An advice nurse on the phone suggested she go to hospital to get checked.
En route to the hospital, Gray got sick in the car and her pain continued to worsen.
The doctor on call diagnosed Gray with viral meningitis or the flu because of her neck pain, headache, sore joints, fever, and vomiting, but hurriedly rushed Gray to the intensive care unit for a CT scan. Gray had begun to slip in and out of consciousness, become delirious and agitated.
The CT scan confirmed the doctor’s speculation of Gray’s meningitis, but by that point, it was already too late.
Gray’s scan revealed that her brain was extremely swollen and there was an incredible amount of pressure in her head. The doctors put her into an induced coma in hopes of rushing her into surgery to relieve the pressure, but there was little to be done.
Gray was declared brain dead that night.
It was only on the morning of the following day that Gray’s parents were told that their daughter had had bacterial meningitis. Everyone who had been in contact with her would have to receive medical attention and medication to ensure they hadn’t contracted the disease.
Edwina and Jamie, Gray’s parents, have received an overwhelming amount of support and love from their family, friends, and community. They are now spearheading fundraising campaigns for the Meningitis Research Foundation in their daughter’s name and caution parents from dismissing symptoms or suspicions.
The risk simply isn’t worth it.
