Alex Razas, 19, went to the club last Friday, March 13, after clocking in a shift at his evening bartending job. But less than 48hours later, the student had a ‘really, really bad throat’ after kissing a girl
A teenager spent four days in hospital battling meningitis after saying he kissed a girl at Club Chemistry nightclub.
University of Kent student Alex Razas, 19, went to the club last Friday, March 13, after clocking in a shift at his evening bartending job. But less than 48hours later, he had a ‘really, really bad throat’ after kissing a girl there.
He credited his friends for saving his life by insisting they take him to hospital, as his condition was quickly getting worse. He was ‘pumped’ full of antibiotics at the William Harvey Hospital as his fearful mother watched on, fearing the worst at one point when he took ‘minutes’ to wake up in hospital, the Telegraph reported.
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But thankfully he was released after four days and was given the all-clear on Wednesday. Alex told the Telegraph: ‘Throughout the whole day, I just started getting more and more symptoms. I started getting a really high fever. My muscles all over my body just started feeling really weak. Then my back started getting really sore and painful to the touch.
“Then my neck started getting really stiff and painful to the touch. And then I was feeling really bad.”
The outbreak has been traced in part to people who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury on March 5, 6 or 7. Anyone who attended – or who has had close contact with a confirmed or suspected case – is being urged to come forward for preventative antibiotics, which can stop infection in up to 90% of cases.
Health officials this morning confirmed that the number of cases of meningitis linked to a nightclub in Kent has risen to 27 – including two young people who sadly died from the infection.
Health chiefs have issued an urgent update on the meningitis outbreak in Kent with a decision to extend a targeted antibiotics and vaccine rollout. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed the outbreak, which resulted in two deaths, involves the MenB strain with cases linked to a student nightclub.
Officials said eligibility for antibiotics, which can stop the infection, and the MenB vaccine has now been widened as part of efforts to contain the spread. They added the situation was being updated daily.
The UKHSA said: “A single course of antibiotics is highly effective in preventing the contraction and spread of this disease in 90% of cases. For MenB, prompt treatment with antibiotics is critical – which is why seeking urgent medical help at the first sign of symptoms is so important.”
The club
Advertised as “the biggest nightclub in Kent”, the family-run Club Chemistry has been running nightlife events since 1987, with generations of University of Kent students dancing the night away at this “iconic” venue. In recent days, however, the name Club Chemistry has become known across the country for a very tragic reason.
Mere days before, those at Club Chemistry were preparing to celebrate 39 years at the heart of Canterbury’s nightlife, with a special birthday bash celebrating almost four decades of “late-night chaos, epic stories and unforgettable nights on the dancefloor”.
Responding to concerns from followers, staff have clarified that the club will be “closed for the entire week, including the weekend”, emphasising, “The safety of our staff and guests is and always will be our absolute priority.” Those enquiring about now-cancelled pre-booked events have been advised “to submit a refund through the ticket company” directly. “Club Chemistry is currently closed voluntarily,” Mr Streeting has clarified.
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