A mother has spoken out after her 25-year-old son tragically passed away after complaining about headaches.
Alex Theodossiadis first exhibited flu-like symptoms on January 16, 2020.
Alex passed away after complaining about headaches. Credit: David Sacks/Getty
His condition worsened as he developed severe migraines, rendering him unable to eat or leave his bed, per the Daily Mail.
On January 20, he attempted to book a doctor appointment at The Light practice in Leeds city center but was given a date three weeks later, on February 10.
Seeking urgent care, he visited the Shakespeare walk-in clinic on January 24.
A nurse practitioner prescribed strong painkillers for his migraine-like headaches, later telling an inquest in 2021 that she saw no signs of meningitis; otherwise, she would have sent him to hospital.
The following day, his condition deteriorated significantly. His flatmate, Leeds artist Sam Jeffries, took him to A&E at Leeds General Infirmary via taxi. He was later transferred to St James’s Hospital, where, in a confused state, he fell and struck his head.
Alex stopped breathing and was placed on a ventilator but later passed away.
His mother, Professor Sue Astley Theodossiadis, traced her son’s decline through the messages he sent to family and friends, as reported by the Mirror.
She has shared details of his heartbreaking final messages and calls Alex exchanged with loved ones as his condition worsened.
Throughout his illness, he believed he had tonsillitis or the flu. As his condition worsened, he was seen at a walk-in center but was only prescribed painkillers for what was later identified as meningitis-related migraines.
Professor Theodossiadis and her husband, also named Alex Theodossiadis, a consultant psychiatrist at Royal Oldham Hospital, rushed to Leeds from their home in Hale, Greater Manchester.
They were reassured by hospital staff that their son’s condition was stable, his CT scan was normal, and neurosurgery was not required. Believing he was not in immediate danger, they briefly returned home.
However, they later received a call from a nurse urging them to return to Leeds.
Upon arrival at St James’s, they found their son on a ventilator, surrounded by around 50 of his friends. They were informed he had fallen, hit his head, and stopped breathing.
Alex was a healthy young man who had gained an international reputation as a DJ.
Professor Theodossiadis is now working with Meningitis Now, a charity dedicated to raising awareness and funding research, to design an educational program for schoolchildren.
The initiative will help young people recognize serious illness and navigate the healthcare system as they transition into
Professor Theodossiadis has expressed concerns about the treatment her son received.
She emphasized the need for better awareness among healthcare professionals, including receptionists, regarding the difficulties young people face when explaining their symptoms.
Meningitis is a serious infection that affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can impact anyone but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults.
If a rash doesn’t disappear when pressed under a glass, it could be meningitis. Credit: George Doyle/Getty
The bacteria that cause the disease spread through close or prolonged contact, with outbreaks occurring in settings like schools and university halls.
Early symptoms – including fever, vomiting, aches, fatigue, and headaches – can resemble less severe illnesses like colds and flu.
However, symptoms can worsen suddenly and may include a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass, sensitivity to bright lights, drowsiness, and seizures.
Not all symptoms appear in every case, making diagnosis challenging.
Quick treatment can lead to full recovery, but bacterial meningitis can cause long-term complications such as hearing or vision loss, memory problems, epilepsy, balance issues, or, in severe cases, limb amputation.
