Sepsis is a severe illness in which the body responds violently to infection. This overwhelming response can result in tissue damage and organ failure, and in extreme circumstances, it can be fatal. As the story of Melissa and her son William shows, it is vital to identify sepsis and start its treatment. This article seeks to discuss what sepsis is, what its symptoms are, why early diagnosis is critical, and how this condition has affected families, using the emotional story of Melissa and her baby boy.
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection management process gets out of hand. Usually, the immune system can combat infections by releasing chemicals into the blood. However, in sepsis, the body produces an optimal amount of these chemicals, which, in turn, causes inflammation. These changes can lead to blood clotting and damaged blood vessels and hinder blood flow to the body’s organs. If sepsis is not attended to early, it develops into septic shock, which has low blood pressure and may cause complete organ dysfunction.
Recognising the Symptoms
One significant issue regarding sepsis is that the symptoms are not distinct and may differ in different cases. Symptoms are usually similar to flu and include fever, chills, tachycardia, confusion, and shortness of breath. In children, there may be signs of irritability, drowsiness, vomiting, or refusal to eat and drink.
Melissa’s experience with her son William began with such symptoms. She recalls a moment of deep worry: “I stood at the end of his bed and thought, something’s not right.” William presented the common signs of an infection, including a high fever and lethargy.
Melissa’s Journey with Sepsis
Melissa’s life was transformed in just a single day. William, her 12-month-old child, began to develop some signs of illness. He has been suffering from coughs and fevers for weeks . Like any caring mother, Melissa took him to the doctor several times, concerned something was seriously wrong.. Each time, she was consoled that he had merely contracted a viral chest infection.Not a single person carried out any tests to establish this could be more serious, nor did they ever consider sepsis.
Melissa recalls the endless cycle of doctor visits. They would examine William each time, but no serious concerns were raised. They didn’t think it was more than a common cold or cough and didn’t prescribe antibiotics. “I was told, ‘He’ll be fine in a few days,’ but he wasn’t.”
He started to shed weight, looked lethargic, and seemed to be getting weaker every day. One evening in December, after another call to a doctor, Melissa was advised, “Just tuck him in bed; he will be up and about in the morning.”
The following day, Melissa woke up with no sound coming from the rest of the house. She checked on William, who was still asleep in the crib. She realised as soon as she laid her hand on his cheek. William died that night, and Melissa’s world shattered in an instant.
William’s autopsy showed he had pneumonia, which developed into sepsis, a condition that kills thousands of people annually. Sepsis, which can be quite poorly understood, can turn into a severe form if left unaddressed. “He could have been saved with antibiotics,” Melissa says. She is sad but shocked at the same time.
With her suffering, Melissa became an advocate. She became an ambassodar of the UK Sepsis Trust to advocate for this condition and to help others learn about it. She continues campaigning for the death of William so that others do not have to go through what she did. She shares with the audience how sepsis is not always presented with symptoms like a rash that many parents monitor. But it can manifest as a slurred speech,confusion, muscle pain or shivering and severe breathlessness.
In her talks, Melissa encourages healthcare workers to always consider sepsis. Her message is clear: sepsis, if seen, should be treated early, patient’s input should be valued, and their complaints should not be neglected. As she says all this, she underscores that everyone is responsible for saving lives and that it can be as easy as paying attention. Melissa has, over time, impacted policies of practice and raised awareness through her tenacity. She has peer reviewed reports, presented at conferences, and encountered many others affected by sepsis. “If you can go away and talk about William to just one person, then I’ll be happy,” she often says.
Though William’s story is a painful one, Melissa believes that by sharing it, she can help ensure that no other parent has to experience the same tragedy.
She says, “Every life we can save is a step closer to honouring William’s memory and making a better world.”
Since William’s death, the National Health Service has made great strides in defining sepsis care. Work has been done to increase doctors’ and other healthcare practitioners’ understanding of sepsis and encourage early identification. Educational interventions have been designed and implemented to ensure that staff within organisations know sepsis and what can be done about it.
Reference
- The UK Sepsis Trust. (2024, August 16). William’s story – The UK Sepsis Trust. https://sepsistrust.org/sepsisvoices/william/
- Knowlex. (2024, May 2). Sepsis – A personal story of sepsis – then and now [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20gLWAvqkF8