Advocate Profile, Casey Mahlon

Casey was a senior in high school when she developed a fever and a rash all over her body. Her mother drove her to the ER, where she was initially misdiagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease and sent home. The next day, still in serious pain, but also vomiting and with a severe headache, Casey went to her doctor. After treating her pain, he called an ambulance. Casey woke up five days later, diagnosed with serogroup B meningococcal disease. She experienced brain swelling resulting in scarring that caused long-term neurological complications.

Casey had been vaccinated against meningococcal disease. Unfortunately, vaccines available at the time covered most strains of the disease, but did not cover serogroup B disease. Currently recommended vaccines protect against serogroups A, C, W and Y and there is now a vaccine available for serogroup B. Today, Casey works in digital marketing. She wants to increase awareness of meningitis and its prevention.