Widow’s warning after losing her healthy husband to Meningitis - Karen Felimond says 'look out for first signs of disease'

Published: 16 December 2010
by TOM FOOT

A MOTHER-OF-TWO who lost her husband to meningitis on Christmas Day has warned others to be vigilant to the first signs of the deadly disease.

While others spend December 25 celebrating, Karen Felimond will mark the anniversary of the death of husband Marcel with the couple’s two children.

His sudden death came at the age of just 36.

She said: “Imagine Christmas with your family, everyone happy and celebrating and then within hours of even knowing anything is wrong, your loved one is taken away from you. This was mine and my children’s reality last Christmas when my beloved husband Marcel died of meningitis within hours of knowing he was ill, leaving us feeling helpless and devastated.”

She added: “We thought Marcel was suffering with food poisoning but we were wrong. After waiting hours and hours and being told he was being made comfortable, a doctor came in and said he had died. I never got the chance to say goodbye to him.”

Ms Felimond, who lives in Camden Town, said her husband, a primary school teacher, was a “picture of health” up until his death and that friends said he was the “last person” they expected to be hit by a disease at such a young age. She said: “On Christmas Eve, Marcel complained of not feeling well; he was achy and had a headache – he thought he had food poisoning. 

“He went to bed early with paracetamol but in the early hours he was so unwell I called an ambulance and he was taken to A&E.”

Meningitis and septicaemia can kill within hours but lives can be saved by knowing the symptoms and taking quick action. Symptoms can appear in any order and can be similar to many mild illnesses, such as fever, vomiting and headaches.

The “red flag” symptoms, such as cold hands and feet, pale or mottled skin, and limb, joint or muscle pain, often appear earlier than these symptoms so people need to be vigilant.

Ms Felimond added: “The risk of meningitis heightens around Christmas and New Year when people’s immune systems are weakened from fighting common illnesses like colds and flu, making them more vulnerable to the disease.

“Meningitis can affect anyone, of any age, at any time – even those who consider themselves fit and healthy like my husband. I understand now that time is critical when dealing with these diseases and early recognition and treatment are imperative. Know the symptoms and you could save a loved one’s life.”

Ms Felimond has organised a fundraising masked ball next year to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation. For more information contact the 24-hour helpline – 080 8800 3344 – or visit www.meningitis.org