A NURSERY nurse who nearly died from meningitis spoke today of the most frightening hours of her life.

Kerry Hemsley says she might not be alive today but for the actions of her family in continually calling for advice and demanding a doctor.

Kerry's doctor at first failed to diagnose the deadly illness and today she urged others: "If people think they have got the symptoms they must go straight to the hospital.

"Some family doctors have never seen a case of meningitis. Some of them only see one case in a lifetime of practising."

Kerry has since accepted an apology from her doctor, who wrote to her: "I am very saddened by the events that occurred. I gave unacceptable advice and this has troubled me deeply."

The apology comes as cases of meningitis hit an all-time high.

Yesterday it claimed the life of a French student at Sussex University and 300 children were sent home from St Mark's Primary School in Manor Road, Brighton, after a five-year-old boy was taken ill.

And mass vaccinations were taking place at a school in Talbot Green, south Wales, today after a suspected new outbreak of meningitis.

Kerry is lucky. She is now back at work and planning her 20th birthday celebrations next week.

But at one stage it was touch and go whether she would even get through the night.

She said: "It was the most frightening 48 hours of my life. If it had not been for the prompt action of staff at the Royal Sussex I might not be here."

The former sprint champion, who represented Brighton and Hove schools, is now taking part in a study into the disease.

Kerry, of Whichelo Place, Brighton, first felt ill in the early hours after a day working at the Happy Days Nursery, Brighton.

Her parents called a doctor the next morning, who diagnosed flu at first.

She was finally sent to hospital at 9.30pm that evening and diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia, the most deadly strain of the bug.

She said: "My doctor has admitted she made a mistake. It is vital that people act quickly. They must sometimes question doctors who diagnose meningitis as flu."

JUST 35 out of 270 pupils turned up at the school at the centre of a meningitis scare today.

St Mark's Primary School in Manor Road, Brighton, was closed yesterday after five-year-old Nathan Rushin contracted what is thought to be meningococcal septicaemia, the most deadly strain of the disease.

It reopened again this morning but the majority of parents, many of whom are calling for a mass vaccination programme, kept their children at home.

As Nathan remained in a stable condition at Brighton's Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital, head teacher Steve Gillham led prayers at assembly for his recovery.

He said: "I'm not surprised at the low attendance because children are precious and parents are anxious.

"A lot have sent them in because they are sensible and realise the risks are minimal. But I wouldn't have sent my own children in because I'm over-anxious."

Parents want all children to be treated, although health chiefs at East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority say it is unnecessary.

Tina Instone, 36, of Maresfield Road, kept her sons Darren, ten, and Sam, eight, off school today.

She said: "I'm just too worried and feel the children should have antibiotics or some kind of injection.

"I won't be sending them back until I know everything is safe."

But Tracey Daly, 34, of Whitehawk Way, decided to take her child in.

She said: "If it's going to happen I would rather it happen at the school, where Charley will be properly looked after."

Colleagues at Sussex University will collect money for a memorial tree to French student Ludovic Blot, 20, who died from meningitis yesterday.

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