A Blyth woman has described the "excruciating pain" of the meningitis infection which almost claimed her life at the age of just 21.
In just 24 hours, bacterial meningitis left fit and healthy Northumbria University graduate Paula Donnelly fighting for her life in intensive care at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Paula's family were warned to fly over as soon as they could from their home in Northern Ireland, in case she didn't make it.
Now 30 years old and thriving, Paula has shared her story to mark World Meningitis Day, on April 24, in a bid to raise awareness of the symptoms of the disease and how quickly it can put a life at risk
In March 2012, Paula had woken up feeling "stiff and achey" after a party - putting her symptoms down to the after-effects of sleeping on a sofa (or perhaps a hangover). But as the day progressed, she began to experience nausea, light sensitivity, and extreme fatigue.
"On the train back to Newcastle I was so vacant, and my whole body was in pain. The pain was excruciating," she said.
She began to vomit, and suspected she'd been hit by food poisoning. But luckily, friends and her then-partner spotted a few tell-tale dark purple spots on her stomach, and sought medical help.
Bacterial meningitis, a serious disease which acts fast and kills 1 in 10 of those that contract it, had led to meningococcal septicaemia, also known as sepsis, which left Paula delirious, with breathing so ragged she was hardly able to speak.
Yet so severe was her confusion that she had no idea how serious things were, and simply wanted to be left alone - a wish which, if granted, could have killed her.
"It wasn't really until after I went into intensive care that I realised something was seriously wrong. I had just wanted to be left alone," she said.
"Luckily I did have people around me who got me to hospital, because the consultant said I wouldn't have survived otherwise. I think that's the biggest lesson to take away: I was so delirious and so vacant, I really didn't understand the magnitude of the situation. So you really do need your loved ones to keep an eye out.
"I would say, especially to students living in halls, don't assume it's 'freshers' flu' or a hangover, check in on your mates and make sure they're ok, if things seem to be getting worse, trust your gut."
Now a company director, Paula lives in Blyth, Northumberland, with partner Rob Harrison, and keeps fit and active, "living for now" after her terrifying brush with death.
But in the immediate aftermath of the illness, Paula, who'd previously walked miles every day in her job as a charity fundraiser, had "lost all her strength" and saw her life change almost over night.
She said: "I needed help with everything. I remember I went back to Northern Ireland to live with my family, and one day my mum asked me to light a candle - I couldn't even press the lighter down, I had lost so much strength. I felt so isolated, and I know it was a very difficult time for my family too."
Determined to regain her strength, unstoppable Paula actually managed to take part in the Great North Run the September after her illness - a spot she'd booked long before and had planned to run. In the end, she had to walk the route, but says it was an "amazing experience."
Since then, she's thrown herself into fundraising for the Meningitis Research Foundation - a UK charity working to defeat the illness which almost cost her her life - including completing the Great North Run again, this time at a run, for the cause.
"It's a cause that is very close to my heart," she said.
Rob Dawson, Director of Communications, Advocacy & Support at Meningitis Research Foundation said: "When meningitis strikes, it affects so many people beyond the impacted individual. “
Survivors become dependent on loved ones and can suffer from extreme guilt for years afterwards. The mental health impact of meningitis is often overlooked, which is why we are so grateful to Paula for sharing her story to raise awareness of the devastating impact of meningitis.”
