A 1-year-old from West Yorkshire, England contracted meningitis C in September 2017 finally able to return home at the end of May. Kia Gott was able to return home for the day after spending nine months in the hospital battling a strong case of meningitis.
Doctors were able to keep her alive but were forced to amputate both of her arms and legs in the process.
Worst Case Of Meningitis
Doctors told Gott's parents that she might not be able to survive the disease. Gott suffered brain damage as a result of meningitis she contracted. Doctors who were treating Gott at the time said that this was "one of the worst cases of meningitis" they had seen in the last 25 years.
Gott was able to return home at the end of May for the first time since being admitted to the hospital in September last year. Her visit was only temporary, her parents are working with doctors to be able to have Gott return home permanently. Her mother Vikki Mitchell describes Gott as very strong and amazing.
Gott had been moved from Leeds General Infirmary to the Bradford Royal Infirmary in preparation for her move back home. Mitchell says that Gott's return home is emotional because the family wasn't sure whether or not she would ever return home.
Even though she was able to return home for the day, her health problems were still present. Gott is starting to have seizures and doctors have had to give her epilepsy medication. There are also worries that Gott may be left deaf and blind, adding to the brain damage from her bout with meningitis. Gott appears to still have her hearing after recovering.
Facts About Meningitis
Meningitis occurs when there is a swelling of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. The swelling is caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid in this membrane. Some of the other causes of meningitis include injuries, cancer, drugs, and other types of infections. Doctors are better able to treat the type of meningitis if they know the cause of the disease.
Meningitis is passed by close contact, one out of 10 people carry meningococcal bacteria in the nose or throat. It can affect anyone, even babies and young children. People who contract meningitis can suffer from the following symptoms of fever, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, and seizures.
Besides causing infections to the lining of the brain and spinal cord, Meningitis can also cause bloodstream infections. Extreme caution should be best practiced to avoid contracting the disease.
