Boy dies from ‘silent killer’ after struggling flu-like signs in school

Sep 08, 2023 at 5:55 PM
Boy dies from ‘silent killer’ after struggling flu-like signs in school

Coming residence from faculty, Seán Hughes did not really feel properly, so his household took him to the native doctor.

Given antibiotics, Seán did not really feel a lot better the subsequent day, so his mother and father took him to the hospital.

His father, Joe, mentioned: “The doctors in the hospital were baffled as they had absolutely no clue what was wrong with Seán.”

Four days later, the boy died; an inquest attributed Seán’s tragic demise on January 12, 2018, to sepsis.

Dad Joe advised the Irish Times: “He was only 15 years old and was a healthy young man with no underlying health issues.

“We had by no means heard of sepsis earlier than this; not as soon as have been we educated on this silent international killer that stole our son’s life.

“At no time was the term sepsis mentioned to Karen [Seán’s mum] or me by the family doctor, the paramedics, or the doctors in the hospital.”

Sepsis

The NHS recognises sepsis as a “life-threatening” reaction to an infection that may be “hard to spot”.

The well being physique explains: “It happens when your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body’s own tissues and organs.”

Also often called blood poisoning or septicaemia, if not handled urgently, the situation can flip into septic shock that causes organs to fail.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says bacterial infections “cause most cases of sepsis”.

An individual who has sepsis might need a number of of the next signs:

  • High coronary heart fee or weak pulse
  • Fever, shivering, or feeling very chilly
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Shortness of breath
  • Extreme ache or discomfort
  • Clammy or sweaty pores and skin.

Any signal of the medical emergency needs to be reported to the emergency providers.

The NHS urges: “Don’t be afraid to ask the healthcare professional ‘is this sepsis?'”

The predominant remedy for sepsis is antibiotics given straight right into a vein and fluid given intravenously.

Remembering his musically proficient son, Joe shared: “From a very early age it was clear that Seán was bound for great things.

“He was a singer, entertainer, comic and finest buddy to all who had the pleasure of realizing him.”