The Who frontman Roger Daltrey given ‘second chance’ after surviving meningitis

Jul 22, 2023 at 9:37 PM
The Who frontman Roger Daltrey given ‘second chance’ after surviving meningitis

Meningitis is an an infection that impacts the protecting membranes surrounding the mind and spinal wire.

It could be severe and even life threatening if not handled shortly.

This is as a result of it could possibly result in blood poisoning – referred to as sepsis – in addition to everlasting injury to the mind or nerves.

The situation is most typical amongst infants and younger folks, nonetheless it could possibly have an effect on anybody of any age.

For rocker Roger Daltrey, frontman of The Who, his brush with the illness in 2015 was extremely worrying.

The now 79-year-old was identified with viral meningitis whereas touring, resulting in the band suspending 50 exhibits in North America.

Speaking about his ordeal, Daltrey revealed he thought he may not “make it” throughout an interview on The Graham Norton Show in 2018.

“It was weird. I didn’t think I would make it,” he mentioned.

“It was life-changing. I thought of my life and my household and what I had carried out and thought, ‘How lucky did it get?’”.

There are various different types of meningitis, depending on how it is spread.

Viral meningitis is caused by a virus and is typically less deadly than bacterial meningitis, which can be fatal.

“I survived and was given a second chance” Daltrey added.

“I have the album [As Long As I Have You], I’m touring and I’ve a e book out later within the yr.”

Although he survived the situation, the Tommy star thinks his battle left him with some everlasting issues.

He lately claimed that the remedy he took on the time made him shrink.

“The drugs they gave me for viral meningitis made me shrink,” Daltrey instructed The Times.

“When I went for my medical for the next tour, I’d shrunk two inches in five years.”

Viral meningitis patients are not prescribed antibiotics due to the fact it hasn’t come from bacteria.

Usually, cases of viral meningitis will improve naturally over time.

Since viral meningitis doesn’t come from bacteria, sufferers will not receive antibiotics.

But doctors can prescribe steroids to lower swelling and act as an anticonvulsant to control any seizures.

However, it is not known what medication Daltrey had taken.

According to the NHS, symptoms of meningitis include:

  • A high temperature (fever)
  • Being sick
  • A headache
  • A rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
  • A stiff neck
  • A dislike of bright lights
  • Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
  • Seizures (fits).

If you think you have meningitis you should call 999 or go to A&E, the NHS says.

Roger Daltrey will appear in a broadcast of the 2006 BBC Electric Proms alongside bandmate Pete Townshend tonight (July 22) at 10pm on BBC Two.