The Only Way is Essex star Jordan Brook has revealed he has been hospitalised with viral meningitis and encephalitis.
The 31-year-old TV star, who is expecting his first child with fellow Towie regular Sophie Kasaei, has said he is receiving around-the-clock care to monitor for any seizures, but said the swelling on his brain had worsened.
His condition is not connected to the outbreak of bacterial meningitis, which has killed two young people in Kent, with the UK Health Security Agency confirming on Saturday that the number of cases linked to the “unusual” cluster had risen to 34.
Speaking from this hospital bed, Mr Brook said: “This is the first time I’ve really been able to speak strong [sic] enough about what’s going on. There’s been a lot of speculations as to why I’m here and what’s going on, and there’s a few comments and people saying things that this is my diagnosis that I got yesterday.
“I’ve been diagnosed with not one but two joining viruses that are attacking a similar part of my body. I have got viral meningitis and encephalitis together.
“That’s the inflammation of the brain and the lining around it. So this isn’t something small or minor.”
According to the NHS, meningitis “is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).”
It is most common among babies and young adults and can be very serious if not treated quickly, causing life-threatening sepsis and resulting in “permanent damage to the brain or nerves”.
Detailing his treatment, the reality TV star said: “I had CT scans, MRI scans, lumbar punctures. With round-the-clock care since I’ve been in this hospital. I’m on IV drips, everything antiviral, pain management, physio, seizure monitoring, to minor seizure risk at the minute.”
He continued: “But unfortunately, the swelling on my brain is getting worse.” He added: “It’s really, really tough. Even the simple day-to-day activities and normal things that aren’t easy right now, so this is what I’m dealing with day-to-day.”
“I’m on day 11 of treatment, and I’d like to reach out to everyone and say just be careful what you read online and be conscious of some things that people are writing.”
He added that he was focused on returning to full health ahead of the arrival of the couple’s first child.
Meanwhile, hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus after an outbreak of the virus last weekend.
Some 23 cases have been confirmed alongside a further 11 cases that “remain under investigation”, the UKHSA said in an update on Saturday morning.
Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B, and all cases have required hospital admission.
