UAE doctors save 18-year-old tourist after deadly battle with meningitis

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UAE doctors save 18-year-old tourist after deadly battle with meningitis

Fujairah - He may still need to have his arms and legs amputated.

by

Dhanusha Gokulan

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Published: Sat 2 Feb 2019, 1:11 PM

Last updated: Sat 2 Feb 2019, 7:39 PM

A Polish family's first day on holiday in the UAE turned into a nightmare after their son was hospitalised with a 'stomach flu' in Fujairah.
Parents Magda and Adam Jarczak shared heartbreaking pictures of 18-year-old Patryk after he was diagnosed with Meningococcal meningitis, a rare but serious bacterial infection. 
He started exhibiting signs of stomach flu with vomiting and diarrhoea early in the day. By nightfall, he had a fever and started having seizures and developed rashes on his face. The family rushed him to the hospital.
"His condition rapidly worsened, and Patryk slipped into a coma," explained Kamila Rodrigues, a Dubai-based friend of the Jarczak family.
His vital organs began shutting down, and he was immediately put on life support. He was further diagnosed with sepsis, and four days later he got meningitis. After a series of blood tests, doctors diagnosed Patryk with meningococcal meningitis.
Fortunately, the doctors were able to save his life, and he came out of coma nearly four days ago in what his parents termed a 'miracle'. However, the teenager's arms and legs may need to be amputated due to a sepsis infection. The doctors took him off life support, and he has been able to breathe on his own. 
"Vaccinations for meningococcal meningitis is mandatory in the UAE. However, in Poland it is optional, and Patryk has not been vaccinated against the disease," explained Rodrigues. 
Rodrigues said, "The family is very grateful to the hospital, they want to thank the team of doctors that saved his life, and they want to spread awareness about the importance of vaccinations for meningococcal meningitis. He has been given all other vaccinations, but not this one."
The family arrived in the UAE on January 16 in the hopes of seeing Dubai.  
Furthermore, Rodrigues explained that the family has insurance; however, it does not cover the entire bill.
Rodrigues added, "We are from the same place in Poland. Our community WhatsApp group highlighted the family's case, and we are trying to help them out as they are not familiar with the place."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com 
 


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