Two Brothers Who Contracted Meningitis Within a Year Urge Young People to Know the Warning Signs

Two brothers from Wrexham who both fell ill with meningitis as teenagers within the space of a single year have spoken out about their ordeal, saying they consider themselves fortunate to have survived. Saul and Drew Darlington, now aged 29 and 26, initially dismissed their back-to-back diagnoses as a strange coincidence. It was only later that medical tests revealed the real explanation: both men carry a rare immune condition that leaves them unusually vulnerable to serious infections.

Saul was the first to become unwell. He was 17 years old and away on a school trip when he began to feel cold and found that light hurt his eyes. When a purple rash appeared on his skin, his family did not wait for further signs. They took him straight to A&E. Reflecting on how rapidly his condition deteriorated, Saul said that had he simply gone to sleep that night, he believes he would probably have died.

He described the experience as deeply frightening, particularly because of his age. The moment his mother used the word meningitis, he recalled, her face made clear how serious the situation was. Nothing about the illness felt familiar to the family, and the speed with which it took hold left them struggling to process what was happening. Saul was treated in hospital for a week before he began to recover.

Almost exactly twelve months later, the family's nightmare repeated itself. Drew, then 16, started feeling ill while revising for his GCSE exams. His only obvious symptom at first was a high temperature, and there was nothing to suggest anything more sinister. He visited his GP, and what happened next unfolded with alarming speed. When he left home that day, his skin was completely clear. By the time the doctor examined him, a large rash had spread across his chest and abdomen, and purple dots had also appeared on the roof of his mouth.

The GP recognised the danger immediately and called an ambulance without delay. Drew was admitted to the children's ward at Wrexham Maelor hospital, where he remained for two weeks. His brother Joel was among the family members who visited him regularly during that time. The first 48 hours were critical, and it was uncertain whether he would pull through. Drew eventually began a slow recovery, but he lost a significant amount of weight and it took months before he felt fully well again.

Looking back, Saul admitted the situation struck him as odd. He questioned what the odds were that two brothers would contract the same potentially fatal illness so close together. That question was eventually answered by medical testing. Both brothers were found to have properdin deficiency, a rare immunodeficiency disorder that makes people more susceptible to infections such as meningitis. As a result, they now take daily antibiotics to help protect themselves.

Both men have since made a full recovery and have thrown themselves into physical activity. They enjoy hiking and running, and in 2025 Drew completed the London Marathon in support of the Meningitis Research Foundation, raising both funds and awareness for the illness that nearly claimed his life. Next year, the brothers plan to take on an Ironman challenge to continue supporting meningitis charities.

They are also determined to spread a practical message. Saul warned that many of the early symptoms of meningitis can easily be mistaken for ordinary tiredness or the after-effects of a night out, when in reality the disease is far more serious. Drew echoed that urgency, stressing the importance of vigilance. With meningitis, he said, there is very little time to act, and every hour can make the difference between life and death.

Their appeal comes at a moment of heightened public attention to the disease. In Wales, nearly 20,000 young people have now been vaccinated through catch-up clinics. The drive was launched in response to a deadly outbreak of meningitis B in Kent earlier this year, which prompted health authorities to widen access to the vaccine for younger age groups.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can develop suddenly, and symptoms do not always appear in a predictable order. According to guidance from meningitis charities, warning signs include a rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass, a high fever that comes on abruptly, a severe and worsening headache, a stiff neck, vomiting and diarrhoea, joint and muscle pain, discomfort in bright light, very cold hands and feet, seizures, confusion or delirium, and extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking. Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms.

The brothers' experience highlights how quickly the illness can escalate and how easily its early stages can be overlooked. Saul's sensitivity to light and Drew's rash both proved decisive, but their cases also underline the value of fast decision-making by families and frontline clinicians. In Drew's case, the swift action of his GP in calling an ambulance may well have been the turning point.

For the Darlington family, the outcome could have been very different. Two sons, two hospital admissions, and one rare diagnosis have left the brothers with a shared perspective on how fragile life can be. Their hope is that by telling their story, other young people and their families will recognise the signs, act without hesitation, and seek emergency help when something feels wrong. As Drew put it, when dealing with meningitis, there is simply no time to spare.