Deadly sepsis struck down young Cleethorpes Councillor.
Oliver Freeston 20 has praised the NHS for diagnosing and treating the deadly sepsis. He is still recovering in the hospital after receiving emergency treatment for his condition. Oliver had had surgery three weeks earlier to remove an abscess which put him at high risk of sepsis.
He had a follow-up appointment on October 19th at Scunthorpe General Hospital he waa then told to go back on the Sunday morning for another appointment. The next morning he felt terribly unwell and his dad took him to the appointment and saved his life.
When he arrived at the hospital he was seen at A&E and was admitted to an emergency ward with suspected sepsis. Sepsis can turn deadly within 12 hours and it is believed that they told him if it hadn’t been caught he would not have survived.
Oliver now wants to raise awareness of sepsis because it is so dangerous. He says he was extremely lucky that his dad had taken the day off work to be with him as he thought it was a bad cold and would have just stayed in bed and took tablets and cancelled his appointment. But he got worse and worse. He believes that when people have surgery and are discharged with the letter they receive post-surgery they should be given a list of symptoms for sepsis. Because you are at heightened risk after surgery people should know how to check it out. Oliver is planning to write to Matt Hancock Health Secretary with suggestions about sepsis awareness.
We all wish you well in your recovery Oliver.
Important advice from the NHS website.
Sepsis is life-threatening. It can be hard to spot.
If you think you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E. Trust your instincts.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if a baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
- blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis.
- difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- a weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
- not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
They may not have all these symptoms.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if an adult or older child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
- acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
They may not have all these symptoms.
Spotting sepsis
Sepsis can be hard to spot. There are lots of possible symptoms.
Symptoms can be vague. They can be like symptoms of other conditions, including flu or a chest infection.
Urgent advice: Call 111 if:
You, your child or someone you look after:
- feels very unwell or like there’s something seriously wrong
- has not had a pee all day (for adults and older children) or in the last 12 hours (for babies and young children)
- keeps vomiting and cannot keep any food or milk down (for babies and young children)
- has swelling, redness or pain around a cut or wound
- has a very high or low temperature, feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivering
Do not worry if you’re not sure if it’s sepsis – it’s still best to call 111.
They can tell you what to do, arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor, or call you an ambulance.
Sepsis can be especially hard to spot in:
- babies and young children
- people with dementia
- people with a learning disability
- people who have difficulty communicating.
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