Heartbreaking final messages from a young DJ who died from meningitis have been revealed to help other youngsters and parents recognise tell-tale signs. Teenagers could be taught about symptoms of the life-threatening infection in memory of 25-year-old Alex Theodossiadis. He died five years ago after being unable to access a GP when reception staff failed to recognise how ill he was and only offered him an appointment in three weeks.

His mother Professor Sue Astley Theodossiadis is joining charities to highlight how a severe headache should not be dismissed as flu, particularly in the young. When Alex, from Leeds, saw the GP receptionist with a debilitating migraine, he had felt so ill and weak he was unable to eat properly or go out. Prof Theodossiadis, a medical imaging expert at Manchester University, has worked with the charity Meningitis Now to design the meningitis awareness lesson to be taught in schools. She has released details of harrowing messages and calls Alex exchanged with friends and family as his condition deteriorated, before a final Facebook message saying he was “in and out of naps”.

Prof Theodossiadis said: “We strongly feel Alex’s care could have been better, and that his death might have been preventable. He was told he had to wait for three weeks for a GP appointment. But after becoming progressively unwell, he went to a walk-in clinic where the first words written by the nurse at the appointment were 'cough and cold' symptoms, despite his most concerning symptoms including a new, debilitating headache.

“He was so ill he couldn't even climb the stairs to his bedroom, but the duration and severity of his symptoms wasn’t discussed at the appointment. It's likely that his inexperience in presenting his symptoms contributed to a presumption of a flu type viral infection; he left the surgery with painkillers for the headache.”. Meningitis sees the thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, usually by an infection. Symptoms also include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and drowsiness muscle pain, stomach cramps and fever with cold hands and feet, and a rash.

Alex was taken by a friend to Leeds General Infirmary and then transferred across the city to St James' Hospital where he stopped breathing after falling from his hospital bed and banging his head on the floor. Before he was hospitalised Sue, from Hale, Greater Manchester, had exchanged messages with her son in which it is clear he is very unwell but he says it is “flu and tonsillitis”. “I’ve been using these drops and my right ear has been totally blocked for 4 days now. Can’t hear anything at all. So I went to the GP but they can’t [see] me for free on the NHS till the end of the month. I’ve booked in for a private appointment tomorrow morning but its £70.”.

“I’ve been the most ill I’ve been for YEARS. Tonsillitis and flu. Been eating a lot of codeine today. Sorry I lost my train of thought lol! Basically I felt like my body was about to fall apart then Marlon turned up with some codeine and I feel much better now.”. “And I’m ooook, feeling a bit better. My lips have chaffed so badly though they’re a proper dry mess.They split in the night and I woke up with blood all over my pillow.”.

“Just getting to bed. Not much of a flu now just a tight chest and horrendous cough. Managed to play my set and found it quite enjoyable despite being sober and a bit poorly.”. “Been really ill this week and have struggled to eat anything the last few days. Have you any tips on how to get nourished. I just have like two bites then can’t do anymore.” Sue advised to eat soup for nourishment and see a GP, and asked if it was flu. Alex replied: “Yeah a combo of flu and tonsillitis.” Sue asked him to keep her posted.

“I’m feeling relatively normal again! Got some food cookin and watching the footy.”. “Have you ever had a migraine? (have you been hit by one?) Yeah I thought I was clear and I’ve had the worst headache of all time since 3am lol. “Whhhhyyyy (painkillers/water doing nothing? Only brief respite.”. “Cleared the flu and tonsillitis. Then developed a really debilitating migraine at 3am”. We said that congestion could cause sinus pain and asked him where the pain was - “centre left temple”. We suggested trying a decongestant - “It’s still going on now”. We asked if he had a GP - “I signed up to the local one, there’s no appointments till the 10th Feb.” We advised trying the NHS 111 website and entering his symptoms on the grounds that it would advise him to see a GP and he could use that to bump him up the list, and to go to a pharmacy to seek help. He agreed. Half an hour later he said “Can I take aspirin?” and we advised he could, but stick to the instructions, also suggesting he take a decongestant.