After nearly dying from meningitis my 15 year old daughter came out of her comma experiencing memory loss as well as false memories and a radical personality change. Is this common and what causes it?

Sue Burd responds:

I am sorry to hear that your daughter contracted meningitis. However, I am happy to hear that she has survived. There are different types of meningitis – viral meningitis, which is caused by a virus, and bacterial meningitis, which is caused by one of several types and strains of bacteria.

There can be many after effects from meningococcal meningitis, which is a form of bacterial meningitis. These include hearing loss, brain damage, kidney disease or limb amputations. Meningitis can also cause a person to go into a coma; however, I do not know the specific after effects of a coma. Due to the medical nature of your question, I recommend that you speak to a qualified health care professional to address your specific concerns.

I wish the best for you and your family, and hope that your daughter makes a full recovery.