An Australian social media influencer is fighting a serious brain infection in a Bali hospital after falling ill while traveling abroad.
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Khiana Smith, 23, had been exploring Europe before arriving in Bali for a week-long stay when she suddenly fell ill.
The fitness influencer has since spent eight days in intensive care after doctors diagnosed her with bacterial and viral meningitis, hospital-acquired pneumonia and fluid on her lungs.
Australian Influencer Hospitalized in Bali With Brain Infection
Doctors have yet to determine how Smith contracted the infection, although possible sources reportedly include contaminated food, water exposure or something she encountered during a flight.
"I don't know what happened, like I seriously don't, I just woke up one day and I just had the worst headache, like I couldn't even get out of bed," Smith said.
Her condition quickly deteriorated as she began experiencing "extreme head pains, dizziness, slurred speech, slurred vision, and a severe sensitivity to light."
An IV drip administered at her villa failed to relieve her symptoms, prompting an emergency transfer to Bali International Hospital.
As concerns grew over her condition, Smith's mother, Cass, flew to Indonesia to be by her daughter's side.
"There is nothing more terrifying than knowing your child is fighting for her life in a foreign country and you're thousands of kilometers away, unable to hold her hand," Cass said.
Influencer Hopes to Return Home After Eight Days in Intensive Care
Cass revealed that doctors performed a CT scan and administered antibiotics through an IV drip, which she believes "probably saved her life".
The family also praised the medical care Smith has received in Indonesia, saying it exceeded their usual experiences with healthcare in Australia.
However, Smith continues to experience memory loss and struggles to maintain conversations following the infection.
Her family remains hopeful that the antibiotic treatment will prevent permanent complications and that her memory will gradually recover.
For now, swelling in Smith's brain has prevented her from flying home, with concerns about how changes in cabin pressure could affect her condition.
The family hopes doctors will clear her to travel within a week, allowing her to board the first available flight back to Australia's Gold Coast.
"I feel absolutely helpless and I just wanna go home," Smith added.
Reflecting on how suddenly her life changed, Smith urged others not to take their health for granted.
"Life is so precious, one minute I'm healthy travelling the world, living my dream life and the next I'm bed bound in ICU in Bali with a brain infection that could of killed me."
"Don't take your life or health for granted ever."
