Sheffield mum thought she had a cold – but nearly died from sepsis

Alex’s experience highlights the potentially devastating consequences of sepsis, which develops when the body has an extreme reaction to an infection.

There are at least 245,000 cases of sepsis in the UK, external every year, according to figures published on the UK Sepsis Trust’s website.

The data also suggests there are about 48,000 deaths in the UK each year linked to it.

Dr Rachel Foster, a consultant in infectious diseases at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, who also treated Alex, says sepsis can cause “rapid deterioration and even death” if it is not recognised early and treated.

“For Alex, thankfully, her wonderful husband noticed that she really looked unwell, rapidly called the alarm, got an ambulance, and brought her to A&E.

“If he had delayed those actions even for another hour, she may not be here today.”

However, Foster adds that it is also important to spot signs of sepsis, external in patients where it might not be as obvious.

“It’s so important that we remain vigilant,” she says.

“The subtle things being: is somebody falling? Are they confused? Are they breathing fast? Are they not themselves? Are they profoundly weak?”

According to The UK Sepsis Trust, the warning signs in adults also include slurred speech, extreme shivering, not passing urine over the course of a day and skin that is mottled or discoloured.