Warning after shock death
THE death of a Dunedin woman from meningococcalrelated bloodpoisoning has prompted her sister to warn others to take care of their health.
Maggy Brownlie’s sister Lindy Wilson died suddenly from meningococcal septicaemia last year, at the age of 57.
Between 10% and 15% of people carry the meningococcal bacteria neiserria meningitidis in their throats, and in rare cases the bacteria can invade the bloodstream of the person carrying it and cause sepsis or meningitis or both.
Ms Wilson, director of marketing services at the University of Otago, was ‘‘pretty engaged in her work’’, Mrs Brownlie said.
However, between March and her death in June she had a cold she could not seem to shake off.
She took some time off, but her symptoms ‘‘never went away’’ and her doctor told her her immune system was weak, Mrs Brownlie said.
‘‘She was a worker. She was someone that had to work, and she felt that it was a cold, an annoying cold.’’
The day before the night Ms Wilson’s family believe she died, she returned to the doctor. Mrs Brownlie understood she was prescribed more antibiotics.
In the evening, Ms Brownlie came over to help Ms Wilson clean out her wardrobe.
Nothing seemed amiss — but shortly afterwards, Mrs Brownlie sent a text message to which Ms Wilson never responded.
The family discovered she had died on Wednesday when Mrs Brownlie asked her son to go and check on his aunt.
The death was still raw for everyone, but particularly for him, Mrs Brownlie said.
‘‘[He] was hugely affected.’’ After a postmortem was carried out, the Southern District Health Board offered antibiotics to both the family and police who attended the house.
SDHB medical officer of health Dr Marion Poore said the reason carriers developed the disease was not well understood.
‘‘These diseases can occur in any age group, but mainly affect those under 5 years, teenagers or young adults. Household crowding can also be a risk factor,’’ she said.
Dr Poore said the onset of meningococcal septicaemia was often rapid and involved fast deterioration. The symptoms were high fever, feeling very unwell, and headaches in some cases.
In relation to the cold Ms Wilson had, when patients experienced persistent illnesses, it was important they sought advice from a healthcare professional.
Advice available from the Ministry of Health said while anyone could develop meningococcal disease, it was more common in those with weak immune systems.
Mrs Brownlie said Ms Wilson, like everyone else in the family, had a high threshold when it came to soldiering on through physical illness.
‘‘We are all quite hardened.’’ Mrs Brownlie strongly urged people to get themselves thoroughly checked out when they had ‘‘any ongoing condition that seems like a cold’’.
‘‘Anything that goes on should be seriously looked at.’’
She described her sister as an outgoing, familyoriented person.
‘‘She loved her travel, and she loved her nieces and nephews,’’ Mrs Brownlie said.
Ms Wilson was also a sports fan, and her job involved managing the university’s relationship with the Highlanders rugby team, which it sponsors — a role she thoroughly enjoyed.
A representative from the Highlanders spoke at Ms Wilson’s funeral, Mrs Brownlie said.
University communications director Megan McPherson described Lindy as a ‘‘muchloved and respected colleague and friend’’ known for her passion, energy, warmth, kindness and leadership.
Among her professional achievements were developing the ‘‘highly effective Only Otago campaign’’, which she worked on with her team.
‘‘It has been very successful for us and it certainly moved the hearts and minds of thousands of students who chose to come to Otago.’’