A young student’s bout with what she believed was the common ‘freshers’ flu’ turned out to be a severe case of meningitis, resulting in the amputation of both her legs to save her life. Ketia Moponda, 19, had just commenced her university journey when she fell ill, initially mistaking her symptoms for a mild cough, a typical occurrence among new students. Her recollection of events is hazy due to the illness, but she confided in friends about feeling extremely unwell. Concerned when they couldn’t reach her the next day, security personnel and another student at De Montfort University in Leicester checked on her and found her unconscious in her room.
Subsequent medical examinations revealed that Ketia had contracted meningococcal septicaemia, leading to bacterial meningitis and sepsis, necessitating the amputation of all her fingers and both legs. Meningococcal septicaemia, a potentially fatal blood infection, can spread through respiratory droplets from person to person.
Hailing from Wolverhampton, Ketia is now raising awareness among new university students to be vigilant about their health. Reflecting on her ordeal, she expressed gratitude for being alive, highlighting the critical condition she was in upon admission to the hospital, with her blood oxygen level at a mere 1%.
Ketia’s health crisis commenced with a seemingly innocuous cough on September 25, 2024. After feeling unusually fatigued during dinner, she took medication, only to wake up feeling worse the next day. As her condition deteriorated rapidly, she reached out to loved ones, expressing her fear of imminent death.
Upon being rushed to the Intensive Care Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary hospital, Ketia was placed in a coma, awakening two days later with limited recollection and mobility. Subsequently, due to complications from poor blood circulation, she underwent amputations of her fingers, thumbs, and both legs below the knee in January.
Following her discharge from the hospital in February, Ketia received prosthetic lower limbs and began rehabilitation in Wolverhampton. Despite the challenges, she remains determined to resume her gym activities and pursue her dream of becoming a model. She emphasized her resilience, vowing to overcome the obstacles posed by her disability.
With a focus on Sepsis Awareness Month, Sepsis Research FEAT, the UK’s sole charity dedicated to sepsis research and awareness, is urging vigilance among students and families. They underscore the potential severity of seemingly minor infections turning life-threatening, emphasizing the importance of prompt medical attention in cases of suspected sepsis.