I was diagnosed with Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Meningoencephalitis on the 4th of September 2025.

Early symptoms

My story begins one week prior the hospitalisation.  Day 1-3 I felt mild headache and dizziness that I was able to control with painkillers.  On the day 3 retuning from work I noticed red rash all over my upper back and got concerned, called the Dr and went to see him. He said it was viral rash and nothing to be concerned about and that I don’t have the Meningitis. Dr also noticed my right eardrum being red also as my throat, that led him to think that the ear could be causing the headache. Although my ear was not in pain at all. Prescribed the antibiotics.  Day 4 my temperature started to rise, and I developed more flue like symptoms, more dizziness, nausea at times, more headaches.  Day 5 I went to see my GP (General practitioner) as my symptoms got worse, I was starting to vomit, nothing could take away pain, had chills. I also mentioned to her the rash and how I was afraid that I might have meningitis, but the rash had disappeared by the time of this visit. GP prescribed me anti sickness tablets and stronger pain killers and have me letter to go to hospital for more checks.

First hospital visit

I had to drive myself to it. On the way to hospital I got sick multiple times, I could not hold any tablets down, my headache was very severe.  Got to hospital again mentioned my concern of having meningitis, they took my blood samples and put me on the IV painkillers and anti-sickness fluids. I was not being sent to any scans as the Dr which is already 3rd one I have seen said my bloodwork is normal and sent me home saying that I have nothing to be concerned about.

Becoming seriously unwell at home

Day 5 evening all the symptoms still were there, nothing has changed.  Day 6 going into Day 7 I was very very sick, I could barely walk, very dizzy and vomiting constantly, high fever, chills, coordination problems, very sleepy, my left hand was starting to feel numb. All this was happening to me while I was on my own at home, my daughter was abroad and I was so ill at this stage that I wasn’t even thinking straight to call the ambulance. Luckily, I was talking to my Mum on the phone my speech was very slow, and it happened that my phone run out of battery and my family abroad couldn’t reach me and that lead them to call the police. By that stage I was not myself, I woke up from my dog barking and police man at my second-floor window. I do not remember how I went downstairs to open the door, I do not recall the events from that evening.

Emergency admission and diagnosis

I was rushed to hospital by ambulance at first they thought I’m having an insult/stroke. I was taken to Emergency room. I remember not being able to use my left hand and being very confused and light was hurting my eyes. They ran multiple tests on me; I was severely dehydrated.   I don’t remember first day at the hospital. Thank God they did Lumbar puncture and that finally gave the answers and the right treatment.  I spent 2 weeks in hospital having IV antibiotics 3 times a day. When I started to feel better I noticed that I have bruises all over my body, that leads me to think I had  fallen at home without even being aware of it, my speech was affected, I had double vision for two days,  I was very sleepy, very dizzy and walking wobbly, my left hand was regaining the control,  my MRI scan showed that my brain had no damage and slowly I was getting better by each day . At the day of off letting me home I had my last assessment by my Dr in hospital and I will never forget the words he said : ” If not for your family who called the police to check up on me, you would of died that night, because your case was very severe”

Recovery and lasting impact

It was very a traumatising experience and the thought of me being so close to death is something that have changed me for life. Nearly 2 months after he illness I still experience fatigue I am left with, my hair is falling out, and the most challenging part is my mental health being affected. I feel overwhelming being in crowded places, I find it hard to focus or keep the conversation going, I want to avoid the people if I can, I am not able to work. I am angry at doctors who did not listen to me and kept dismissing me and my concerns.  And that is something I want to remind to all the doctors is to listen to your patients. Because of someone’s dismissal I could of not be here today and my life was turned upside down just like that.

A message to others

But I am so thankful that I am here today and there are many of us who survived this really serious and scary illness. You are not alone and let this illness to change you for the better, stronger person you have ever been.

If you would like to share your lived experience please submit your story.

Story published July 2026