An Australian fitness influencer’s holiday in Bali took a worrying turn when she became seriously ill. Khiana Smith, 23, said she was diagnosed with meningitis after developing a severe headache and sensitivity to light.
In a TikTok video, Smith recalled waking with what felt like the worst headache she had ever experienced. She was unable to get out of bed, struggled to open her eyes in the light and felt too unsteady to stand without falling.
She initially waited to see if the symptoms would pass. By the next morning, she said, she felt far worse and was taken by ambulance to hospital, where tests identified the infection.
Dr. Alfred Joshua, an emergency physician based in California, said the symptoms Smith described were serious warning signs. Along with the headache and light sensitivity, she reportedly had trouble walking and later developed slurred speech.
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include headache, fever, a stiff neck and sensitivity to light. Difficulty walking or speaking, confusion and extreme fatigue can signal a more serious problem and call for urgent medical care.
The illness’s severity can depend on its cause. Viral meningitis often improves on its own, Joshua said, while bacterial meningitis can worsen quickly and requires prompt antibiotic treatment. Smith said doctors initially weren’t sure which type she had, so they treated her for bacterial meningitis as a precaution.
Smith later improved enough to leave intensive care, but returned to hospital when her head pain, light sensitivity and slurred speech continued. She also reported memory loss and said swelling in her brain meant she could not yet fly home.
When meningitis is suspected, doctors may use blood tests, brain imaging and a lumbar puncture to help identify the cause. Joshua said some bacterial forms can be prevented with recommended vaccines. He also advised travelers to consider insurance that covers medical evacuation.
Smith’s mother said her daughter’s hospital costs were covered because she had bought travel insurance before leaving Australia. Joshua urged people not to wait when symptoms worsen, particularly when speech, walking or other brain functions are affected, and to seek emergency care promptly.
