Actor Jason Watkins and his wife Clara Francis have spoken about the heartbreaking loss of their young daughter to help raise awareness of sepsis.
The couple opened up about the emotional experience of their daughter Maudie dying suddenly, aged two and a half, from the condition in a new ITV documentary which airs on Thursday at 9pm. Jason & Clara: In Memory of Maudie also sees the couple speaking to medical professionals about how to detect sepsis and supporting other families who have lost a loved one.
In the documentary, The Crown actor remembers Maudie as a "happy child, wise and centred" and explains she developed a chest infection around New Year in 2011 which was treated by her doctor with medication. After her condition did not improve, they took her back to A&E where they were told she had a bad cold and croup before being discharged, but later that night she died at home.
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It was only discovered later that she had developed sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection which occurs when your immune system overreacts to the ailment and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs. The NHS warns that it can be difficult to detect sepsis as there are "lots of possible symptoms" and they can present like symptoms of other conditions, including flu or a chest infection.
Here, we have summarised the main signs of sepsis. You can find more information on the NHS website. If you think you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It happens when your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs.
You cannot catch sepsis from another person. Sepsis is sometimes called septicaemia or blood poisoning.
Symptoms in babies or young children
Call 999 or go to A&E if a baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
- blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
- not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
They may not have all these symptoms.
Symptoms in older children or adults
Call 999 or go to A&E if an adult or older child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
- acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
They may not have all these symptoms.
When to call 111
Call 111 if you, your child or someone you look after:
- feels very unwell or like there's something seriously wrong
- has not had a pee all day (for adults and older children) or in the last 12 hours (for babies and young children)
- keeps vomiting and cannot keep any food or milk down (for babies and young children)
- has swelling or pain around a cut or wound
- has a very high or low temperature, feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivering
Do not worry if you're not sure if it's sepsis – it's still best to call 111. They can tell you what to do, arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor, or call you an ambulance.
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