Student teacher revealed that her “winter cold” turned out to have been sepsis.
Jemma Butler (20 years old) was working at a school in Burton Upon Trent (Staffordshire). She felt a bit sick and assumed that it was a virus.
After a week she couldn’t get up and started shaking uncontrollably.
Multiple trips to the hospital were required before she was diagnosed with sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition resulting from an infection.
Jemma was forced to fight for her light when symptoms of a bad virus turned out be sepsis. Photo taken in September 2019, pre-sepsis
Following scans and testing, doctors found that Jemma was suffering from Lemierre syndrome. It is rare in the throat. She has been diagnosed with sepsis. The hospital is pictured in 2019.
Jemma explained that her symptoms included a sore throat. She was prescribed antibiotics to treat suspected tonsillitis, but she was really suffering from sepsis.
Many people are unfamiliar with sepsis or have misunderstood it.
“However, 48,000 people die from sepsis in the UK each year. This is more than all of breast, bowel, and prostate cancer deaths. It is possible to end someone’s life if not taken care of immediately as a medical emergency.
“I’m extremely grateful to be alive”
After calling 111, Jemma was told to go to A&E. When she arrived, her pulse was racing and her temperature was 41°C – symptoms associated with sepsis, but this was later dismissed. Photo taken January 20, 2021
Jemma began her Durham University degree in November 2019. This year, Jemma worked as a teacher in a school in the primary grades.
Jemma was not surprised when she felt a bit strange, as bugs and viruses are common in schools.
She stated, “I slept in bed expecting to feel better in a few days.”
“As I was on my first term in university and working in a primary setting for some school placements, I thought my symptoms might be caused by a virus and that they would go away on their own.”
Jemma Butler and her sisters, parents and siblings. Jemma initially was afraid to confide in her dad that she might be suffering from sepsis, after his mother passed away.
However, within one week her symptoms became unbearable and she began to be more worried.
“I couldn’t get up from my bed to shower,” she said. My body was weak, and I couldn’t stand uncontrollably without shaking my legs.
“I tried to control my intense sweating and rocketing temperatures by sleeping with the windows wide open in order to keep cool, even though it was mid-November.” I was certain that something was wrong, and sought help.
After calling 111, Jemma was told to go to A&E. When she arrived, her pulse was racing and her temperature was 41°C – symptoms associated with sepsis, but this was later dismissed.
Jemma Butler March 20, 2021, one year after her first loss of hair. Jemma still feels lucky despite the loss of her hair.
The doctor said that she had briefly spoken of “sepsis”, and they suggested my observation be closely monitored, pointing out some “red flags” that could indicate sepsis.
“I knew the term was there and understood its seriousness because my father’s mother had passed away from it when he was four years old.
“I was extremely nervous, particularly to inform my parents as I believed my father would be very worried about me.”
Her temperature dropped after two doses of paracetamol. She was then sent home on a course antibiotics for one week.
Jemma Butler, her second year of university in July 2021. Her strength had helped her to be able return to Durham to complete her second year of university teacher training.
Jemma started to make some progress, even though she was still incapable of getting out of her bed.
Two weeks left in the term, the college welfare team and the parents decided she could not return to the lectures room and that she should go home to Staffordshire.
“I was feeling slightly better after I had completed the antibiotics that Durham hospital had prescribed me. But, it wasn’t over.
Learn more about sepsis, and what signs to look out for.
Sepsis happens when the body responds to an infection and attacks its own organs, tissues, or cells.
In the UK, 44,000 people are affected by sepsis each year. The condition is fatal in 3.5 seconds worldwide.
Sepsis can be characterized by similar symptoms as flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection.
These are:
- SConfusion or lurred speech
- EExtreme shivering and muscle pain
- PNo urine for a whole day
- Severe breathlessness
- YouYou feel like you are in death
- SKin mottled and discoloured
Children may experience these symptoms:
- Quick breathing
- Convulsions, fits
- Mottled, bluish or pale skin
- Pressed rashes will not disappear
- Lethargy
- Feeling unusually cold
Sepsis kills over 44,000 people annually and is the leading cause for avoidable deaths.
Children under five may experience vomiting frequently, not eating or urinating during the day.
Although anyone can get sepsis, it’s more common among those who have undergone surgery or who have been in hospital long enough to require a catheter.
People with weak immune system, cancer patients, pregnant women and the elderly are all at high risk.
The treatment depends on where the infection is located, but it may include antibiotics, IV fluids, and oxygen if needed.
Source: UK Sepsis Trust NHS Choices
Two days after I returned home from my trip, I was severely dehydrated. It was difficult to eat again, and I developed swelling in my right jaw. This meant that I couldn’t open my mouth for more than two centimetres.
“It was terrifying and extremely debilitating. I thought I had lost my control.”
The pain became so severe, Jemma’s mum took her to A&E again at another hospital where she was diagnosed with lockjaw.
Next day, her pain in her jaws and throat got worse. She tried to speak to her GP who referred to her hospital.
Jemma shared the following: “As we drove home from the GPs, to get a bag for our hospital trip, I became violently ill.”
“Upon my return home I couldn’t stand up again because I was weak.”
“I went to my parents’ bedroom and laid on the bed. My sweat was profuse and I also felt cold. My skin was extremely pale, mottled, and clammy.
“My heart was beating and it was difficult for me to breathe.”
“The overwhelming sensation that I was going mad was my most terrible symptom. It was one I will not forget.”
Jemma’s parents called an ambulance. Paramedics arrived to explain that Jemma had suffered from sepsis.
Resus was performed and doctors confirmed that she had a serious condition. She received antibiotics immediately via drip.
She stated, “The rapid diagnosis of sepsis at that point and the use of antibiotics were undoubtedly what saved me my life.”
“The next section of my hospital experience becomes blurred because I’m so sick I can’t remember all the details.
“My parents were there for me, and they are able tell me the truth.”
Following scans and testing, doctors found that Jemma was suffering from Lemierre’s syndrome. It is rare in the throat. She has been attributed to sepsis.
Another ultrasound showed signs of a blood clot in Jemma’s neck. This was thankfully gone after Jemma received blood thinners.
She was discharged from hospital after 13 days. However, her sepsis left some lasting effects.
According to her, it took some time to recover from being severely ill. However, I was able return to university in January of the next year and resume my Durham teacher training.
“Three months later, my hair began to fall out. This was something I initially thought strange, but after researching it, I realized that this is actually a sign of post-sepsis syndrome, which many people experience after undergoing treatment.
“Two years later, my hair still falls out and grows back. I am reminded of how strong my body was to endure such trauma every time my hair grows back.
“While my hair loss is not easy, it reminds me of the many Sepsis victims each year. It’s a minor price that I have to bear.