Harry Redknapp has revealed the terrifying health ordeal his wife Sandra endured after developing a kidney infection that led to sepsis. The 79-year-old former football manager said his wife of 59 years was rushed to hospital in 2018 after falling ill while he was working away from home.
Initially, the cause of her deteriorating health was unknown, but tests confirmed she was fighting sepsis, a severe and potentially fatal response to infection. The NHS states that sepsis can progress rapidly and requires immediate hospital treatment.
Redknapp credited his family with saving Sandra's life by getting her to hospital promptly. 'I was in London at the time, I was managing, so I wasn't coming home that night and my family rushed her up to the hospital and it's lucky [they] did otherwise, if she hadn't have gone in that night, it could've been too late,' he said.
The UK Sepsis Trust reports that the condition affects around 245,000 people annually in the UK and causes about 48,000 deaths. Without early detection and swift treatment, it can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and prove fatal.
Redknapp has since become involved with a sepsis charity to raise awareness. 'More people died with sepsis last year than three other major cancers, you'd never believe it. It's scary,' he said. Fortunately, Sandra has recovered and is now 'all good' and 'keeping busy'.
Redknapp also shared an update on his own health following a recent diagnosis of hearing loss. He admitted he often forgets to wear his hearing aids but said everything is under control.
