Joe Swash quizzed on possible return to EastEnders

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At the young age of 23, Joe who is currently appearing on the latest series of Celebrity Masterchef, contracted a rare form of meningoencephalitis leaving him with dangerous swelling on the brain. After being rushed to hospital the usually cheeky chappy was in the worst pain of his life, leading to him having to take a year off of work and leaving Eastenders, the show where he first became a household name.

Doctors carried out a series of tests on the actor including a spinal tap before confirming it was viral meningitis.

Speaking to the now defunct News of the World near to the time of the incident Joe said: “I was certain I’d die.

“My head hurt so much I wanted nurses to cut it off. I couldn’t feel the left side of my body. It was numb.

“I tried wiggling my toes and legs. Then I tried to move my mouth and felt sheer terror come over me – I couldn’t move my lips.”

The young actor thought he might never be able to talk again, crushing his dreams of being an actor which had only just begun.

Yet luckily for Joe, after a short stay in hospital he was able to make a full recovery.

Speaking to The Sun he said: “I had to learn everything again.

“I had to learn coordination and my speech was slurred.”

What is meningoencephalitis?

Meningoencephalitis can be an incredibly serious condition.

It resembles both meningitis and encephalitis, which respectively is inflammation of the central nervous system and inflammation of the brain tissue.

The cause of the disease can be put down to various things including bacteria, fungi and other types of germs.

According to John Hopkins medicine, symptoms often include fever, light sensitivity and headaches but can be more severe and include the following:

• Seizures
• Trouble thinking clearly
• Personality changes
• Hallucinations
• Unusual behaviours
• Unconsciousness.

These symptoms, as expected, are similar to meningitis.

However some different symptoms that individuals with meningitis may suffer include a rash and being sick.

Meningitis occurs more frequently in babies, young children and teenagers.

Treatments depending on the severity of the condition can include antibiotics and fluids given directly into a vein and oxygen given through a face mask.

Less severe conditions tend to get better on their own with time and best rest.

Joe Swash was able to reprise his beloved role as Micky Miller in Eastenders for a short while after his recovery, until the character was axed in 2008 by producers.

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