Meningitis is an infection that affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
It can be serious and even life threatening if not treated quickly.
This is because it can lead to blood poisoning – known as sepsis – as well as permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
The condition is most common among babies and young people, however it can affect anyone of any age.
For rocker Roger Daltrey, frontman of The Who, his brush with the illness in 2015 was extremely worrying.
The now 79-year-old was diagnosed with viral meningitis while touring, leading to the band postponing 50 shows in North America.
Speaking about his ordeal, Daltrey revealed he thought he might not “make it” during an interview on The Graham Norton Show in 2018.
“It was weird. I didn’t think I would make it,” he said.
“It was life-changing. I thought about my life and my family and what I had done and thought, ‘How lucky did it get?’”.
There are various different types of meningitis, depending on how it is spread.
Viral meningitis is caused by a virus and is typically less deadly than bacterial meningitis, which can be fatal.
“I survived and was given a second chance” Daltrey added.
“I have the album [As Long As I Have You], I’m touring and I have a book out later in the year.”
Although he survived the condition, the Tommy star thinks his battle left him with some permanent problems.
He recently claimed that the medication he took at the time made him shrink.
“The drugs they gave me for viral meningitis made me shrink,” Daltrey told The Times.
“When I went for my medical for the next tour, I’d shrunk two inches in five years.”
Viral meningitis patients are not prescribed antibiotics due to the fact it hasn’t come from bacteria.
Usually, cases of viral meningitis will improve naturally over time.
Since viral meningitis doesn’t come from bacteria, sufferers will not receive antibiotics.
But doctors can prescribe steroids to lower swelling and act as an anticonvulsant to control any seizures.
However, it is not known what medication Daltrey had taken.
According to the NHS, symptoms of meningitis include:
- A high temperature (fever)
- Being sick
- A headache
- A rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
- A stiff neck
- A dislike of bright lights
- Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Seizures (fits).
If you think you have meningitis you should call 999 or go to A&E, the NHS says.
Roger Daltrey will appear in a broadcast of the 2006 BBC Electric Proms alongside bandmate Pete Townshend tonight (July 22) at 10pm on BBC Two.
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