Teenager left fighting for her life after ear infection on idyllic Greek holiday

Millie Bayles is fighting for life in intensive care after the holiday of a lifetime in Greece went horribly wrong for the teen.

A British teenager holidaying on an idyllic Greek island has been left fighting for her life after an ear infection turned into a nightmare health battle.

Millie Bayles, 19, now remains in intensive care at an Athens hospital after jetting out on a sunshine holiday to the island of Rhodes.

Her family said she first noticed symptoms of an ear infection – but it turned into something much more serious.

Millie, who comes from North Wales, was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis – leaving her family with a AU$82,000 bill to get her home.

She was moved 480km from the island to intensive care in the Greek capital.

The teenager, who is said to be out of immediate danger, remains in a semiconscious state.

Mum Lauren Murphy and stepfather Pete flew out to be by her side as doctors battle to get her well.

Millie Bayles developed bacterial meningitis while holidaying in Greece.

Ms Bayles is still in hospital in Greece.

Millie unfortunately failed to take out travel insurance when she went with friends for the summer break.

Her mum has now received a quote for tens of thousands of dollars to pay for her medical bills and bring her back to the UK.

Lauren has been left no choice but to turn to the public for help to pay for her treatment – which includes a private medical emergency flight.

The family have reached their AU$82,000 target on their appeal with more than 900 donations from family, friends and even strangers – and hope to get Millie home soon.

Millie Bayles developed bacterial meningitis while holidaying in Greece.

Lauren said: “We are now at the stage where we can look to bring Millie back to the UK.

“She is out of immediate danger, but she has a long road to recovery ahead of her.”

“She is still only semiconscious, and we have yet to see how badly this illness will have affected her brain in the long term.

“Unfortunately, due to being an invincible young person, Millie neglected to take out any holiday insurance, and so we have to fund her medical flight home privately.

“We desperately need help to get our girl back to her home country so she can continue her recovery process.”

Millie Bayles developed bacterial meningitis while holidaying in Greece.

Stepfather Pete Murphy said: “I am so overwhelmed by the immediate generosity of all of you lovely people and plenty that are certainly not on my friend list.

“Myself, Lauren and Millie are so grateful for your kind donations. Millie has got a long battle ahead but she certainly has a lot of people routing for her and we can’t thank you enough for that.”

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

It can be very serious if not treated quickly – it can cause life-threatening sepsis and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves. Symptoms typically include a high temperature (fever), being sick, a headache, a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop), a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, drowsiness or unresponsiveness and seizures (fits).

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission