Christchurch teen, Britney Skeggs, succumbs to meningitis
An adopted daughter and former Southland Girls’ High School student sadly died late last week from meningitis shortly after being admitted to a Christchurch, New Zealand hospital.
17-year-old Britney Skeggs was admitted to the hospital on Thursday night presenting symptoms of headache and vomiting.
According to Britney’s adopted mother, Trudy Bruce, the girl deteriorated rapidly and died the following morning.
New Zealand newsource, 3 News reports Britney’s death follows the death earlier this month of a Wellington schoolgirl – 12-year-old Amanda Crook-Barker – who died from meningococcal disease just two hours after developing a rash.
The most common causes of meningitis are viral infections that usually get better without treatment. However, bacterial meningitis infections are extremely serious, and may result in death or brain damage, even if treated.
Acute bacterial meningitis can be caused by several bacterial organisms to include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and others, is a medical emergency, and requires immediate treatment in a hospital.
Viral meningitis is milder and occurs more often than bacterial meningitis. It usually develops in the late summer and early fall, and often affects children and adults under age 30. Most infections occur in children under age 5. Most viral meningitis is due to enteroviruses, which are viruses that also can cause intestinal illness.
Read more about meningitis
You can visit and pay your respects at the R.I.P. Britney Skeggs Facebook page