{"id":840745,"date":"2026-03-21T13:32:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T13:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/840745\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T13:32:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T13:32:17","slug":"bbc-sport-star-left-in-coma-and-nearly-dies-in-meningitis-battle-as-symptoms-shared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/840745\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC Sport star left in coma and nearly dies in meningitis battle as symptoms shared"},"content":{"rendered":"

Off the back of a devastating meningitis outbreak in Kent, BBC Sport presenter Seema Jaswal has opened up on how the infection previously left her in a coma and on the brink of death<\/p>\n

11:01, 21 Mar 2026Updated 11:10, 21 Mar 2026<\/p>\n

\"Seema<\/p>\n

Seema Jaswal has spoken about her bout of meningitis as a teen(Image: Bundesliga Collection via Getty)<\/p>\n

Seema Jaswal has spoken about her battle with meningitis at the age of just 16 which left her in a coma, after a recent outbreak of the infection in Kent. The 41-year-old, who presents the BBC’s<\/a> snooker<\/a> coverage, was in her teenage years when she was hit by an aggressive case of meningitis<\/a> B.<\/p>\n

As a result, the was left in a coma, while her parents were told to expect the worst. Thankfully, Jaswal was able to make a full recovery, and is now urging people to educate themselves on meningitis while pleading with the government to make vaccinations mandatory.<\/p>\n

Speaking with the Daily Mail<\/a>, she said: “It changed my outlook on things. I feel so grateful that I’ve been given a second chance.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Dr Hilary Jones’ urgent ‘always’ meningitis advice that could ‘save a life’<\/a>READ MORE: TOWIE’s Jordan Brook reveals meningitis diagnosis as he shares update from hospital<\/a><\/p>\n

“I spent a couple of weeks in hospital and lost a lot of weight. I felt completely drained but being 16 I just wanted to get back to normal life.<\/p>\n

“I was so lucky that I was able to do that. If you have Meningitis B, many people come out of it with something that could be long-lasting: a disability, you lose a limb, lose your sight or hearing. That happens to a lot of people.”<\/p>\n

Studying for her A-Levels at the time, Jaswal’s first symptom of the infection was a headache, which worsened to the point that her mother, Raziya, called upon a doctor. That medical professional ultimately passed it off as a bout of flu, but as Jaswal became sensitive to light, her mother feared that it was actually meningitis – calling an ambulance.<\/p>\n

Jaswal explained: “She called the ambulance. The paramedics came and took me to hospital.<\/p>\n

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“I don’t remember any of this part. I was in a coma for between 24 and 48 hours.<\/p>\n

“My parents were told all of the worst things that might be the outcome. I cannot thank my mother enough for acting so quickly.<\/p>\n

“The doctor himself said I had the flu. The signs can be very similar at the beginning to a flu.<\/p>\n

“When you’re on the go non-stop, you just put it down to that. My mum really trusted her instinct. You’ve got to trust your instinct.<\/p>\n

“If something doesn’t feel quite right, even if it’s a degree off a normal cold or flu, you’ve got to run with it and get it checked. That’s my advice.”<\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of meningitis<\/p>\n

As per the NHS<\/a>, the symptoms of meningitis are:<\/p>\n