Jason W Philpott's story

I was a smart sweet child before the age of 11. That's when I got bacterial meningitis.

We were on vacation 5 hours from home. We stopped for a swim, by the time we got home I felt the fever start.

As time went by my fever rose through Tylenol, my head felt too heavy for my neck. It progressed to back pain, knee pain and pain knee, the tops of my feet. When I told my mother I couldn't move my legs and was going in and out of consciousness, I was taken to the hospital.

When the Dr put it together, I was given a spinal tap screaming and wiggling trying to get away from them. The spinal tap resulted in bacterial meningitis. Given the proper meds I made a quick recovery.

However, now as an adult I have learned the long term side effects of this infection. Mine are cognitive, memory emotional, pain in my back, legs and headaches. It is suspected that it causes the spine to be so weak that pinched nerves and disks are easier to harm you after this infection. I have felt tired at all times. Way more than I should at my age.

The only reason you can read this is autocorrect - lol. My spelling and math skills have become horrible. And I am now on disability due to mental health.

Jason W Philpott
October 2018