Student, 20, left fighting for life after 'winter cold' turns out to be deadly sepsis
dailystar.co.ukstudent nearly died after what she thought was a standard winter cold turned out to be deadly sepsis. Jemma Butler, 20, fell ill while on placement at a primary school during the first year of her degree at Durham University in November 2019.
What she assumed was a viral infection picked up at the school deteriorated quickly, and within a week she was shaking uncontrollably and unable to get out of bed.
After visiting hospital several times, medics eventually told her that it was sepsis - a life-threatening reaction to an infection.
She said: "I felt ill with what seemed to be a sore throat, and was given antibiotics for suspected tonsillitis but it was actually sepsis."As I was in my first term of university and in a primary school setting some days on placement, I assumed my symptoms were the result of a viral infection and would disappear on their own."Within a week her symptoms were “unbearable” and she became more concerned.She said: "My body was weak and I was unable to stand without my legs uncontrollably shaking."I slept with the window wide open, despite it being mid-November, to try and control my rocketing temperature and profound sweating. "I knew something was seriously wrong and decided to seek help."When she arrived at A&E her pulse was racing and her temperature was 41C, but sepsis was initially dismissed.
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