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Two years ago I nearly died from sepsis - a condition that I knew very little about. I had a sore throat and thought I'd be ok in a couple of days. Instead I was in an ambulance to the hospital and ended up in a coma on life support machines.  My kidneys had failed, and my heart and lungs were struggling to keep me alive.

I spent two weeks in intensive care and was lucky to survive.  I lost most of my muscle mass and body fat and was unable to feed myself or sit up in bed. Physiotherapy and lots of exercise helped me to walk again and to overcome joint and muscle pains.  I never ran before I was ill, but many different types of exercise have played a big part in my recovery.  Mental stimulation and social situations can leave me very tired, but physical activity helps to restore me.

Despite what happened to me, I consider myself lucky. Many others aren't so lucky - at least 44,000 people die from sepsis every year in the UK, which is more than bowel, breast, and prostate cancer combined. At least a quarter of those who survive end up with life changing complications, such as permanent organ damage or amputated limbs. Many survivors also suffer from psychological and/or emotional problems.

About Sepsis

Sepsis can be triggered by any infection - in my case it was a throat infection. It occurs when the immune system overreacts to the infection and begins attacking the body's organs and tissues.  If it is detected quickly, it can be treated with antibiotics, but often is is missed for something less serious. Sepsis can affect anyone, but young children, older adults, or those with a weakened immune system are more vulnerable.

Seek medical help urgently if you or an adult develop any of the following symptoms:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain
• Passing no urine (in a day)
• Severe breathlessness
• It feels like you are going to die
• Skin mottled or discoloured

A child may have sepsis if he or she:

1. Is breathing very fast
2. Has a ‘fit’ or convulsion
3. Looks mottled, bluish, or pale
4. Has a rash that does not fade when you press it
5. Is very lethargic or difficult to wake
6. Feels abnormally cold to touch

A child under 5 may have sepsis if he or she:

1. Is not feeding
2. Is vomiting repeatedly
3. Has not passed urine for 12 hours

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