Australian influencer's Bali holiday ends in ICU with bacterial meningitis

Falling sick while on holiday is the last thing anyone would want. 

But for Australian fitness influencer Khiana Smith, her Bali trip turned into a nightmare after she landed in hospital.

On Oct 29, the 23-year-old said on TikTok that she had been transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) after experiencing severe headaches, vision problems and slurred speech.

The cause of her symptoms? Bacterial meningitis.

It is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord caused by a bacterial infection.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bacterial meningitis is a serious condition, and complications can lead to seizures, coma and death. 

Khiana was also unable to fly home due to concerns about the pressure on her brain. 

"It's been hard, I can't lie," she admitted. 

Being in an unfamiliar place also proved to be a hurdle for the content creator. 

"Being in a foreign country, they're doing their best, but the language barrier is hard," she said. "And feeling like your whole life is in other people's hands and you don't have proper answers." 

In an update on Oct 31, Khiana shared that she had been warded for a week, and had been feeling "absolutely helpless". 

"I just want to go home," the influencer said, adding that while she's been trying to stay positive, everyday activities were still a struggle. 

Since then, she has been diagnosed with pneumonia on top of bacterial meningitis.

But the young woman is on the mend.

On Monday (Nov 2), Khiana said: "Getting better, still not really able to do much on my own. Stood up and walked for the first time by myself today, which is a big step in the right direction." 

She also addressed new reports suggesting that she was "in critical condition" or "dying". 

"Guys what the heck is that about? I'm all good," she clarified. 

In a separate post, Khiana said the ordeal was the "scare of her life".

"Life really is that precious and anything can happen," she wrote, urging her followers to cherish their health. 

"I'm so grateful to be young and healthy enough to fight this and this experience will hold a huge part in my life forever." 

After spending 10 days in hospital, five of which were in the ICU, she has recovered from both bacterial meningitis and pneumonia and is getting discharged on Tuesday.

Holiday health scare

It appears Khiana may not be the only one to have her holiday plans derailed. 

In June, 16-year-old Ashen Phaipanya also suffered bacterial meningitis and pneumonia while holidaying at Bali with his family, reported 1News. 

The New Zealander had to be placed in a medically induced coma as doctors worked to reduce swelling in his brain. 

According to a family friend, he had contracted the disease after eating undercooked pork in Bali. 

His condition improved after treatment, and he returned home to New Zealand in July. 

While Khiana did not share what made her fall sick, there have been cases of bacterial meningitis linked to pork consumption in Bali. 

In a study published in June 2022 on One Health, researchers investigated 39 people who fell ill after a Bali village gathering where traditional dishes containing raw pork and pig blood were served.

18 of them were hospitalised with bacterial meningitis, while another 21 were treated as outpatients.

It also found that prompt treatment is important in helping patients make a full recovery.

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carol.ong@asiaone.com