Superfit gran's sepsis warning after 'flu' left her fighting for life just days later

A superfit grandmother has sounded the alarm on the dangers of sepsis after a supposed flu scare escalated into a life-threatening ordeal.

Dee Thomas, hailing from Perthshire, was thrust into a critical condition requiring urgent open heart surgery due to a severe staph infection that targeted her heart and spine in April 2023.

The 65-year-old initially experienced only mild symptoms, feeling achy and fatigued before her condition took a dramatic turn for the worse.

Recounting her ordeal, Dee shared: "I had climbed a hill on April 3 last year and I even took a selfie smiling at the top. But when I bent down to tie my shoelace I suddenly felt unwell."

She told the the Daily Record: "I went to bed with paracetamol that night, but by the next morning I was no better. My husband Ian told me I looked terrible and I was grey in colour. I was going hot and cold but had no temperature."

Dee's instincts prompted her to seek immediate medical attention. She said: "Later that evening, I told my husband to call an ambulance. I just had this very strange feeling that I needed to be checked."

Despite normal vital signs, the paramedics offered hospital transport: "The paramedics came and my blood pressure, temperature and oxygen levels were all normal, but they asked if I wanted to go to hospital."

At Perth Royal Infirmary, tests revealed a rapidly escalating infection. Dee was then urgently transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where lifesaving valve replacement surgery was performed during open heart surgery.

Dee recounted her harrowing experience: "I was shocked at the speed the infection had taken hold. I went from coming down with normal flu symptoms to almost losing my life in a matter of hours."

She revealed the dire situation she faced, saying: "I think doctors thought I was a goner at one point and told my family that things were not looking very good. ".

After a critical period in intensive care followed by a stay in a high-dependency ward, it took a month before Dee could return home.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Dee said: "Doctors told me that I had been very unlucky and probably got a germ from a little nick but they can't be for certain where the infection came from."

Expressing her gratitude for her recovery, she stated: "I feel incredibly lucky that I'm still here. Many people don't make it or the infection is too far gone to treat."

Dee emphasised the importance of prompt medical attention, advising, "I would tell anyone who ever has concerns about their symptoms to call an ambulance. I probably saved myself when I decided I need to do that."

In a bid to support Sepsis Research FEAT, Dee is now gearing up to undertake a challenge equivalent to scaling Mount Everest next month.

Colin Graham, COO at Sepsis Research FEAT, commented on the severity of the condition: "Sepsis is an indiscriminate, devastating illness which takes the lives of around 50,000 people every year in the UK."

He highlighted the lack of public awareness, stating, " Despite these shocking figures, many people are still unaware of how serious sepsis is. That is why raising awareness of this deadly condition is vital, so that more people are able to recognise the symptoms and act quickly to seek urgent medical attention and improve chances of survival."

Sepsis can be difficult to identify and diagnose as symptoms can present in a variety of ways.

Key symptoms to watch out for include:.

1. A high or low body temperature.

2. Uncontrollable shivering.

3. Confusion.

4. Passing little urine.

5. Blotchy or cold arms and legs.

Individually, some of these symptoms could indicate other health issues. Additionally, someone with sepsis may not exhibit all of these symptoms simultaneously.

If two or more symptoms are present and progressively worsening, immediate medical attention is required - call 999 or visit A&E.