Six months ago, Anna’s husband Greg, became seriously ill with the condition. Thankfully, he is now back to full health but our Projects Officer, Anna hopes to raise awareness of sepsis signs and symptoms so that the condition can be treated in time, reducing fatalities.
Here’s her story…
I didn’t panic when he had chills on the way to the GP, or when the GP told us to go straight to A&E or when the triage nurse asked if he was normally this grey and pale, or if his blood pressure was usually this low or when they put on the oxygen mask to assist his breathing and his blood oxygen remained dangerously low. I was concerned but not massively alarmed when they shared the results of the chest x-ray showing the extent of the infection (which was far worse than we imagined), or wanted to admit him overnight or even when they eventually sent us up to intensive care.
When they started listing the diagnosis’ I wasn’t scared, up to that moment I knew everything would be OK, that we had reached the hospital in time, that the doctors knew what to do, that this was severe but treatable, he would recover, that was until I heard the word ‘sepsis’. That word shocked me and I had to ask for the doctor to repeat it. I looked over at my husband lying in the ICU bed and asked if he heard what had been said, he confirmed he did, and I realised that he probably had no idea what it meant. I decided now probably wasn’t the best time to explain so tried my best not to overreact.
My brain was going into overdrive
I knew a person who had died from it and I knew the speed at which a person receives treatment dictates the outcome. Internally my brain was going into overdrive but externally I was aiming for calm and comforting. I don’t think I have ever been so afraid as I was that night, despite the doctor’s reassurance that he was receiving treatment in time, that he was in the best place and they would look after him, I was terrified.
It’s vital to act quickly, but sepsis symptoms are hard to detect
That was 6 months ago and I still find it hard not to blame myself for not getting medical treatment sooner. Ultimately my husband recovered, but if we had waited and gone to the GP the following day we could have faced a very different outcome. As a very fit and healthy person in their late 30’s he was able to recover and hasn’t been left with any lifelong issues, the sepsis did cause stage one organ failure but prompt treatment limited the damage. However, it was partly his age and good health that hid how unwell he really was, we had thought he was improving prior to getting to the GP. He had been unwell with what we suspected was a chest infection for 72 hours by the time he ended up in ICU. Sepsis symptoms are very hard to detect and often go unnoticed given that sepsis itself is caused when you have an acute infection. As you are already unwell it can be hard to see chills, breathlessness, low blood pressure and pale or blotchy skin as anything other than the symptoms you already experiencing.
The road to recovery is long
As someone with no pre-existing health conditions and general high fitness levels, he was not high risk for sepsis. His recovery has been long, hard going and frustrating because there is no treatment, just rest, something my rock climbing, concert going, squash playing, motorbike riding husband isn’t well known for! We recognise that the consequences could have been so much worse (we don’t like to dwell on the what-ifs) and appreciate that this was the best outcome we could have hoped for even though it’s been really tough. We were extremely fortunate that his employer was so understanding and allowed him the time he needed to recover, accommodated his return to work and supported him every step of the way. We are both so grateful for that as without their support this situation could have been so much harder.
Look out for the symptoms and act quickly
Friday 13 September marks World Sepsis Day and these are the six main symptoms although urgent medical treatment should be sought even if only one symptom is seen in someone with an infection:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme muscle pain or shivering
- Passing no urine in a day
- Severe Breathlessness
- It feels like you’re going to die
- Skin mottled or discoloured
Sepsis causes more deaths globally than cancer. Worldwide there are estimated to be 50 million cases of sepsis every year with 1 in 5 deaths linked to sepsis and around 48,000 deaths in the UK each year. This condition is entirely treatable as long as its recognised in time so don’t be afraid to ask – ‘Is this sepsis?’
Follow this link for more information about sepsis
