Student's meningitis warning to undergraduates

"There was a three-day period where things could have gone either way... I went downhill so quickly," said Manolo Niembro, after he developed meningitis

A student who said he almost died a few weeks after starting university has urged this year's undergraduates to check they have been vaccinated against meningitis.

Manolo Niembro was studying at Bradford University when he began experiencing hallucinations and high fever, but he said the signs of the illness were missed by doctors at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The 21-year-old said it was the "worst experience of my life" and he was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in his home city of Cambridge for lifesaving treatment.

The hospital in West Yorkshire has apologised for his care. The NHS said meningitis can spread quickly at university and students should make sure their vaccines are up to date.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and can be very serious if not treated quickly.

Mr Niembro said he was studying at Bradford University when he became unwell in October 2022.

"For me it was something that young children catch and it didn't occur my son was at risk at university," said Manolo's father Joe

He said he started to get a sore back, which he put down to the bed at his accommodation, but he then developed a squint, hallucinations, high fever, double vision, migraines and became unsteady when standing.

"[It was] the worst experience of my life," he said.

After his first trip to hospital, he said he was recommended paracetamol, water, an eye patch and then sent home.

On his second visit he said he felt "bullied out of the hospital", adding his girlfriend was "laughed at" by a staff member for suggesting a diagnosis of meningitis or sepsis.

His parents then arranged a taxi to take him to hospital in Cambridge.

The NHS says meningitis can affect anyone, but it is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults, and can be very serious if not treated quickly.

Children receive a number of meningitis vaccines at a young age - like Mr Niembro did - with a further MenACWY vaccine offered to teenagers, sixth formers and students going to university.

According to Meningitis Research Foundation, many young adults are at risk from the disease which can be mistaken for freshers flu.

'Shell of a person'

Manolo's father, Joe Niembro, said: "What went through my head was, I don't want to be one of those people who put the phone down and you don't hear from him again.

"He was a shell of the person he was previously. I don't know how anyone could look at him and think he was OK, let alone medical staff."

His mother, Juliet Niembro, said: "Nobody knows your child like you do. When things aren't right, get the right treatment if you're not happy with what a doctor says."

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it had apologised for Mr Niembro's care and treatment.

A spokesperson said: "We expressed our sincere regret that the doctor and nurses didn't recognise how unwell Manolo was and for the additional stress and anxiety this caused him and his family.

"Learning from Manolo's case was shared with the Emergency Department team, including the individuals concerned in his case.

"We set high standards for ourselves and aim to get every patient's treatment and care right, and in most cases we do.

"Please be assured we are committed to providing high quality healthcare for every patient."

Mr Niembro has since started a new course at Sheffield University, studying engineering.