A MAN spent a week in hospital battling meningitis after he was misdiagnosed by doctors three times.

Steven Drew, 38, went to his GP suffering from headaches and migraine symptoms after he played rugby.

His GP, followed by two A&E doctors, reassured him there was nothing to worry about, saying he had concussion.

Yet he was later rushed to hospital where he spent seven days fighting for his life.

Mr Drew recalled: “It felt like I was dying and I feel very lucky to be here today.

“When I saw my GP he thought it was concussion because I played rugby two weeks before, but he sent me to hospital to be sure.

“Yet when I was there the doctor was very dismissive and said it was concussion and I needed to go home, take some pain killers and it would clear up in a couple of days.

“It got worse so I returned to A&E, but again was told the same thing, even though I had all of the meningitis symptoms apart from the rash.”

Things came to a head the next day, which was Christmas Day, after Steven had been sick throughout the night.

His wife Karen called an ambulance to their home in Richmond Avenue, Shoebury. Paramedics recognised the symptoms and rushed him straight to hospital, where he spent the first four days in a critical condition. Mr Drew, who is still recovering from the illness, added: “It has really affected me.

“I still have a headache and I get sleepy very easily and if I am tired I slur my speech.

“It is very frustrating because I can’t work at the moment, but I am lucky that my children did not catch it.”

He added: “I want to do more to raise awareness in hospitals to recognise the symptoms and work with charities like Meningitis UK, who have been really supportive to me.”

A hospital spokeswoman said: “We have been in direct contact with Mr Drew to discuss his concerns which we will now investigate.”