Jacqui Higgins

I am 47 years old and I contracted sepsis in April 2015.

I had been feeling under the weather for a few days with headache, sore throat, and pains in my chest. I was finding it difficult to breath. I went to see the nurse who told me I had a viral infection and to go home and take paracetamol. I was told if it got worse to come back.

I felt so bad the following day, I ended up calling the local health line that arranged an appointment at a clinic in the evening. I felt so ill I had to go in early. I had to be carried in and immediately was put on oxygen. They thought I was taking a heart attack.

I was rushed to A&E and the following day, I was in ICU. I had influenza B and strep A, which became invasive. (Sepsis and Influenza) I also had pneumonia, sepsis, and ARDS. (Sepsis and Pneumonia, Sepsis and ARDS) I had to have a tracheostomy.

I consider myself lucky to be alive as once I came out of ICU, I looked up all the conditions I had and I could have died from most of them. I feel so grateful that I can see my children grow up, and being 18 and 23 it was a tough time for them. I have had lots of after effects like my hair has fallen out, my nails are falling off, my gums have receded, and my skin had peeled off my hands and feet, but really I’m just glad to be here to tell the tale. (Sepsis and Post-Sepsis Syndrome)