College Student Dies Hours After First Showing Symptoms of Highly Contagious Deadly Disease Often Mistaken for the Flu
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- Alexander "Zander" Philogene, a 21-year-old Australian university student, died shortly after contracting meningococcal disease while traveling in Europe, specifically after returning to Vienna from Porto.
- Philogene experienced symptoms including dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, and a rash, and despite being vaccinated, he may have contracted a newer aggressive strain of the disease.
- He was airlifted to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival; meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that can be fatal even with treatment.
- Philogene's uncle, professional chef Chris Jarmer, described him as funny, smart, and witty, and a GoFundMe has been set up to support the family’s funeral costs.
- Meningococcal disease is contagious and often mistaken for flu-like symptoms; it requires prompt antibiotic treatment and vaccination for prevention, with a mortality rate of 10-15% even with medical care.
