Mother’s plea as NSW teen dies from meningococcal

A devastated mother has pleaded for people to be wary of meningococcal after it claimed the life of her teenage daughter on the NSW Central Coast.

Health authorities on Monday confirmed 19-year-old Mischelle Rhodes died from the disease at Gosford Hospital last week but the strain has not been confirmed.

"Our thoughts are with the family of this young woman at this tragic time," Central Coast Local Health District's Peter Lewis said in a statement.

Ms Rhodes' mother Anjini said her daughter was sent home from hospital with pain killers on Tuesday.

She was readmitted on Wednesday after her condition worsened.

"And (Mischelle) told me, 'Doctors told me I'm going to die," the sobbing mother told the Seven Network.

"I thought she was going to be okay."

Ms Rhodes' mother begged people to be aware of the symptoms and insistent on treatment if they feel unwell.

Symptoms can include fever, headache, neck stiffness, joint pain, a rash, dislike of bright lights, nausea and vomiting.

The tragedy follows the death of a 38-year-old Central Coast woman from the W strain of meningococcal disease in early August.

However, authorities say there is "no known link" between the two cases.

Ms Rhodes begged people to be aware of the symptoms and insistent on treatment.

"Don't leave hospital till everything has been looked at – all the blood tests," she said.

"It just took my beautiful girl away so fast."

Dr Lewis said meningococcal disease is very uncommon in NSW.

A total of 41 cases have been reported in NSW this year, according to NSW Health.

Nearly half (19) were the B strain, while 11 were the W strain.

"If anyone in the community develops any symptoms of meningococcal disease, it's important that they seek medical advice immediately," Dr Lewis said.

Symptoms can include fever, headache, neck stiffness, joint pain, a rash, dislike of bright lights, nausea and vomiting.

Meningococcal bacteria does not easily spread between people, nor do they survive well outside the human body.

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