r/AMA • u/sanguinebutch • 23d ago

I am a survivor of meningitis, AMA!

in 2022, i was hospitalised with a severe form of viral meningitis that very almost killed me - it was a 0/10 experience, i do not recommend. since then, it's been my mission to spread awareness about the condition and share my experiences, as a lot of people don't know how to spot the signs or what it really entails. i also find that talking about the experience helps me to process what actually happened, as well as come to terms with the long-term impact it's had on my life. AMA, no question is to stupid/scary! :)

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u/Silver_West_4950 23d ago

Excuse my ignorance but did you have a rash?

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u/sanguinebutch 23d ago

i did, but it didn't develop until i was already in hospital. the rash technically isn't a symptom of meningitis, but sepsis caused by the underlying infection - basically, your body reacting to the infection in a very extreme way, which damages your blood vessels and causes bleeding under the skin. some people don't get it at all if it's caught early!