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Pharmacology student Paawan Purba who hoped to help find cures for dangerous diseases died just 48 hours after contracting a deadly strain of meningitis.

The last words Paawan said to her mother was 'whatever you do, don't leave me.' She died just a few hours later.

Paawan who studied at the University of East London also worked part time time in a local pub, had complained of feeling ill after returning from a shift on August 25 this year

The next morning she told her worried parents she thought she might have flu, and after checking she did not have a rash - one of the telltale signs of meningitis - they called their GP surgery. A doctor said Paawan's symptoms, which included a high temperature, loss of appetite and aches and pains in her neck, was probably caused by a virus.

She was told to drink plenty of fluids and take paracetemol, but while Paawan's temperature dropped she still had not eaten by Friday. Her worried mother, Jasmeelsher, 49, decided to sleep in her bed with her and just before she fell asleep as 1.40am on Satuday morning Paawan whispered to her: 'Whatever you do, do not leave me.'

At 3.30am Mrs Purba woke to find her daughter unresponsive and breathing heavily. She was rushed to hospital but died at 7.45am with her family at her bedside.
The London Evening Standard reports Paawan was killed by a strain of meningitis W - she had missed the Men ACWY vaccine.

Her father Baldev Purba, 48, a telecoms engineer, told the Standard: 'The sadness is beyond belief. I keep looking at the door thinking my beautiful, bubbly daughter will come home and we will all be together again.

'Our daughter is gone but if we can help raise awareness of what needs to be done to save others than maybe we can prevent this happening to another family.' 
Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, and can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Bacterial meningitis can develop into blood poisoning, which can lead to organ failure. 

Source: Daily Mail
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Meningitis W: Students urged to get vaccine

Young people starting university or college this autumn are being urged to get a vaccine against meningitis.

Public Health England says the jab will help protect against meningitis W in particular - a sometimes deadly strain that is on the rise.

For More information CLICK HERE to visit the Meningitis Now Website