Remarkable tale of Meningitis survivor’s journey to recovery

Rebecca Caleb Maina, Gombe

July 22, 2016 will remain a historical date in the life of Mrs. Balkisu Bibi as a test result came out positive for meningitis.
The diagnosis came as a shock to her, her family, friends, and relatives, as they were unaware of the severity of the severe headaches, high fever, and sensitivity to light.

Lo and behold, it was meningitis.Meningitis in an adult is said to be life-threatening ailment, because it affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

The news of the diagnostics came as a shock, because she was told the effect of the sickness could cause an inflammation, which would lead to potentially devastating complications, such as brain damage, hearing and vision loss, or even death.
Further probing showed that meningitis could have long-lasting effects on those who survive, like Balkisu Bibi
In this tale, Balkisu shares her remarkable story of pains and tears, yet hope and miracle, as she transformed from hopelessness to an over comer from the devastating disease.

Onset of Meningitis
Balkisu Bibi, a 43 year-old mother of four, from Gombe State Nigeria, suddenly began experiencing severe headaches, high fever, and sensitivity to light. Concerned about these symptoms, she sought medical attention at a nearby health facility in Gombe, where she was given medications, but showed no improvement.
She was later then taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, FTH, Gombe, for further consultations and probing.
The first stop was at the FTH’s Accident and Emergency Unit, where she was admitted for investigations.
The signs and symptoms ignited the doctors to suspect meningitis, which consequently led them to take samples from her spinal cord for testing.

The result showed the confirmation of their suspicion.
It was meningitis, confirming their worst fears.
The family, friends, and relatives were in shock, because some myths have it that adults with meningitis do not survive, but they were indeed unaware of the severity of the illness, because of what she had to go through.

The battle begins

Balkisu’s battle with meningitis was indeed intense and gruelling.
However, Balkisu’s strong will and determination, as well as her strong belief in the miracles by God, kept hope and faith alive.

She held unto hope and miracle of a divine hand saving her that she shall live, despite the excruciating pain and discomfort.
Balkisu was from the Accident and Emergency Ward moved immediately to the female medical ward of the Federal Teaching Hospital and placed on drugs to fight the infection.

Without a doubt, her faith was unwavering.
She was closely monitored by the medical team, while her family watched as the disease took a toll for the worst, causing her extreme fatigue, difficulty in her movement. There was hearing and vision loss, and muscle weakness, while becoming so emotional by crying for no particular reason.

Looking back, she thanks God for her husband and family, who stood by her side, providing unwavering support during this challenging time.

“Meningitis had a significant impact on my daily life. I was unable to do the simplest of things. I could not go to work, church or participate in my usual activities. I spent most of my time in the hospital, undergoing treatment and recovering from the severe symptom,” Balkisu Said.

According to her, she believed the myths making the rounds that, patients with meningitis don’t come out alive, as such… “It was a terrible experience. I had given up. I felt the need to make things right with men and God so that I could die in peace. So, anyone who came around, I asked for forgiveness and ensured that all my debts were settled. I forgave everyone who had hurt me,” said Balkisu.

Road to Recovery
After two weeks of intensive medical care and rehabilitation, Balkisu was discharged and was told to come for follow -ups.
She recounts that the most challenging aspects of her recovery were the pains and fatigue I was experiencing on a moment by moment basis.

“I also had to deal with the after-effects of the disease, such as hearing loss, balance issues, and memory problems. I experienced what the doctors called lack of coordination, I could not walk without an aid, my two hands were numb I could not use the hands to do anything. If want to write, my handwriting becomes erratic,” Balkisu said.

The complete healing, according to Balkisu, came with the routine follow ups and physiotherapy, which at first did not provide any significant improvement, until after one year.

The turn-around came with the coming of a visiting Neurologist from the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, Adamawa State, Dr Salawu Abdulfatah (of blessed memory).
I will forever remain grateful to God for sending Dr Abdulfatah for coming my way. I was so impressed with his expertise in handling my condition, being a Nigerian like me, my joy knew no bounds.
He placed me on some medications and I slowly began to show signs of improvement.

“He also encouraged me to return to my daily activities and hobbies without fear, despite not being fully recovered,” Balkisu Narrated.

The Drugs prescribed by the visiting Neurologist and the physical therapy combined, helped Balkisu to regain her strength and mobility, while the cognitive therapy assisted in restoring her mental acuity.

Despite the long and arduous journey to recovery, Balkisu’s determination never wavered, as she pushed on harder and harder and her condition improved and she began to regain her strength and cognitive abilities.

With the support of her family, friends, and healthcare professionals, Balkisu made remarkable progress, as she underwent intensive rehabilitation to help her regain her mobility and speech.

“My family especially my husband, friends and colleagues were incredibly supportive during my recovery. They visited me in the hospital and at home, helped me with daily tasks, and encouraged me to stay positive. Their support played a crucial role in my healing process,” Balkisu added.

Throughout her journey, Balkisu learned the importance of resilience, determination, and the power of a strong support system. She learned to trust God and believe He performs Miracles.
All these combined, she was able to return to work and resume her normal activities, although with some lingering effects of the disease.

Life after Meningitis
Despite the lingering effects of meningitis, Balkisu has made significant progress in rebuilding her life. She has become an advocate for meningitis awareness.

Her resilience and positive outlook have inspired many others facing similar challenges. She wrote a book titled “My Ordeal” in which she shared her story, so as to educate others about the importance of early detection and treatment.

“I advice others facing meningitis or recovering from meningitis to stay strong and focused on getting better. It is essential to have a strong support system, follow your doctor’s advice, and take care of your physical and mental health,” Balkisu said.

Hope for the Future
Today, Balkisu continues to embrace life with a newfound appreciation for each day. While the experience of battling meningitis has undoubtedly left its mark on her, she remains grateful to God for the opportunity to live life to the fullest.

Her story serves as a beacon of hope for those affected by meningitis and underscores the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Meningitis is a formidable foe, but for survivors like Balkisu, it is a reminder that with courage and determination, it is possible to overcome even the most daunting of challenges.

As Balkisu’s resilience and determination is celebrated, it is paramount to remember the importance of vaccination, which is one of the most effective tool in preventing the spread of meningitis and other life-threatening diseases.

Balkisu’s journey to recovery is an inspiring story of hope, courage, and determination. It reminds the living of the importance of vaccination and the power of a strong support system in overcoming adversity.
The survivor’s experience also highlights the severity of meningitis and the challenges faced during treatment and recovery.

While it is essential for individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they suspect they have meningitis, early treatment can significantly improve the chances of a full recovery. Support from family, friends, and healthcare professionals can also go a long way in performing a vital role in overcoming the physical and emotional challenges of the disease.

Epidemiology of the disease
It is important to note that meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease and remains a major public health challenge. The disease can be caused by many different pathogens including bacteria, fungi or viruses, but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis.
Meningococcal meningitis is transmitted from person to person through droplets of respiratory and throat secretions, usually by asymptomatic carriers. Close, prolonged contact with an infected person, or living with a carrier, facilitate the spread of the disease. The average incubation period is four days, but can range between two and 10 days.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC), Cerebrospinal Meningitis Public Health Advisory, dated January 11, 2024, Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) occurs when there is an acute inflammation of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord. It is an epidemic-prone disease, with cases reported all year round in Nigeria.

However, weather conditions like the dry season which comes with dust, winds, cold nights, and frequent upper respiratory tract infections, increase the risk of infection, especially with crowding and poor ventilation.

The highest burden of CSM in Nigeria occurs in the “Meningitis Belt” which includes all 19 states in the Northern region, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and some southern states, such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun).

In 2022/2023, Nigeria recorded 2, 765 suspected and 303 confirmed cases, which led to the deaths of 190 across 140 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 States, including the Federal Capital Territory.

The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, (NCDC), is working to prevent, detect, and respond to cases of CSM.

However, despite the significant progress made in surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and vaccination over the last few years, CSM remains a priority disease and ever-present public health threat in Nigeria, with annual outbreaks in high-burden states that present a challenge for people, health systems, economies, and communities.
CSM initially presents as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, photophobia (pain on looking at bright lights), neck stiffness, and altered conscious levels. It may be more difficult to observe these signs in younger children, but irritability, poor feeding, and inactivity are common factors. Although meningitis affects all ages, the most at-risk persons are young children, especially those under or not immunized, Individuals, people living in overcrowded households, as well as those who smoke, and exposed to poor ventilation and indoor air pollution, (e.g., from cooking with wood, or charcoal).
Those with poor hygienic practices (poor cough etiquette and hand washing for example), contact with infected persons with poor infection prevention and control measures are more likely to contract the disease.

Meanwhile, health care workers who provide direct patient care, clean, and disinfect contaminated materials or handle biological specimens without using personal protective equipment and/or adhering to infection prevention control protocols can easily contract the disease.

Health advice to the public
To protect oneself and loved ones from getting meningitis, the
Public is advised to:

• Vaccinate themselves and family, as the appropriate requirement
  for protect against meningitis.
• Avoid close and prolonged contact with a confirmed case of CSM including relatives.
• Avoid overcrowding in households.
• Avoid smoking.
• Practice proper respiratory hygiene when coughing or sneezing.
• Discourage indoor air pollution, such as indoor cooking over open flames.
• Practice good personal and hand hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap under running water or using hand sanitizers when necessary.
• Always keep your environment clean.
• Visit the nearest health facility immediately if you notice any of the signs and symptoms associated with CSM mentioned earlier or call the State Ministry of Health hotline or 6232 (NCDC toll-free line).
• Avoid self-medication to prevent antimicrobial resistance and ensure proper diagnosis and early treatment.

Advice to Healthcare Workers

• Healthcare workers are advised always to practice standard infection prevention and control practices: i.e., wear gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment while handling patients or providing care to an ill patient.
• Healthcare workers should maintain a high index of suspicion for CSM, that is., be vigilant and consider a diagnosis of CSM when seeing patients presenting with suggestive symptoms including acute febrile illness at this time.
• Healthcare providers should report all suspected cases of CSM to their local government Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer for immediate access to healthcare. This is essential because early identification and treatment of cases are more effective and can save lives.
• This material is produced for the Media-EIS Fellowship Programme, a collaborative partnership among the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the USAID-funded Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria and the African Field Epidemiology Network.