Teenager fronts meningitis campaign after losing mum

Published on Tuesday 23 December 2008 09:09

THE teenage daughter of a health-conscious Edinburgh woman who died of meningitis is to front a nationwide awareness campaign.

Petal Brown's mother Hyacinth died at the age of 54 after being struck down suddenly by the disease more popularly associated with infants and students.

Now, in a bid to spread the word that everyone is at risk, the 19-year-old is to appear on adverts and billboards as part of the Scottish Government's It Can Happen To Anyone campaign.

The 54-year-old – who neither smoked nor drank and took hygiene so seriously she would wash her hands after going on the bus – passed away in February after falling ill. Petal, a dance student at Telford College, will give an account of what happened to her mother in television and radio adverts, while a poster with her mother's face on it will also appear around the country.

She said: "It is important that people realise that meningitis can happen to anyone, regardless of their age. My mum was the picture of health before she died, never drinking or smoking and always trying to stay healthy.

"Her death took us completely by surprise. My dad, brother and I are committed to raising awareness of this disease and it is vital that people know how to quickly identify the symptoms."

The Evening News revealed in June that when Hyacinth, who was a secretary for Edinburgh Leisure, fell ill shivering on the couch in her Broomhouse home her family thought it was nothing worse than flu. In fact she had meningococcal meningitis, and died in hospital shortly after. Her family are keen to back the campaign to abolish the myth that only a certain group of people can catch the disease. How Mrs Brown – originally from the West Indian island of Trinidad – caught meningitis remains a mystery.

The campaign will involve the Scottish Government, the NHS and a number of charities and will be timed to coincide with people returning to school, work and university after the festive period.

They want to catch people while they are health-aware, with many making New Year's resolutions and going on diets and detoxes.

Members of the public will be urged to look out for symptoms such as headaches, fevers, diarrhoea, vomiting and not being able to pass urine, as well as the better known light aversion and developing a rash.

Public health minister Shona Robison, who will help promote the drive on January 5, said: "Meningitis is a rare but very serious illness, the consequences of which can include permanent disability or death. Meningitis can also develop very quickly, and this is why it is so important to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms quickly."

Kate Hasler, screening and immunisation co-ordinator at NHS Health Scotland, added: "This year's campaign focuses on the people who have been affected by meningitis and tells their stories. Families from every walk of life have been affected by this disease. Sadly, many people think they have the flu and for some, by the time they realise that it is more serious, it is too late."