AN ABERTILLERY man is lucky to be alive after contracting the deadly superbug meningitis.

Nathan Barrington, 25 of Glangwyr Street, had to be put into an induced coma as his body battled to fight the meningoccocal strain.

This type of meningitis kills five per cent of those who contract it and occurs when the bug infects either the brain or the spinal cord.

Mr Barrington was diagnosed on October 6 after feeling ill for a couple of days before.

He had been suffering from servere headaches and vommiting, but it was when he became delirious at the home he shares with his nephew, Ziyaad Faith-Alldeen, 20, that he was rushed to Nevill Hall hospital by paramedics.

Doctors performed a lumbar puncture on Mr Barrington - a procedure to test a sample of fluid from the spinal cord - which confirmed he had developed the illness.

His three sisters, Keri Prosser, 39, Vicky Bryant, 32, and Kay Faith-Alldeen, 38, who travelled to Abergavenny from her home in Kuwait, have been by his bedside throughout the week, uncertain whether their brother would pull through.

Vicky Bryant, 32, said: “It has been a horrible week and we are all rallying around Nathan.

“He is a big young lad who is six foot five - and to see him this weak and ill is devastating.

“We all feared he was going to die but hopefully he is out of the worst of it now.”

Mr Barrington was placed in the coma last week, as he kept fitting and doctors were unable to treat him.

On Friday he regained consciousness and has been able to communicate with his family.

Doctors have told the family that he could have suffered brain damage due to brain swelling and they are now awaiting a neurologist’s report into his condition.

Many people who contract this strain of meningitis suffer severe hearing problems, brain damage of blindness.

Keri Prosser said: “We want people to realise that there are more symptoms to look out for with meningitis than a rash.

“Nathan had no rash but severe headaches and terrible vomiting, so I would urge other people with these symptoms to get to a doctor as soon as possible.”

For more information on meningitis and symptoms, log on to www.meningitis-trust.org