What began as a routine gym session nearly ended in tragedy for 32-year-old Jessica Daggett, whose seemingly ordinary back pain concealed a silent killer marching through her body.
The mother-of-one initially dismissed her agony as a pulled muscle after deadlifting at her local fitness centre. But within hours, her condition deteriorated into a life-or-death battle against sepsis - a medical emergency that claims 48,000 lives annually in the UK.
The Silent Attack
"I felt this intense pain radiating through my shoulder and back, but put it down to overexertion," Jessica recalls. "Nothing could have prepared me for the truth."
As night fell, Jessica's condition escalated dramatically. Crippling pain gave way to vomiting and uncontrollable shaking - the classic yet frequently missed signs of sepsis.
A Race Against Time
Her husband Rob's decision to rush her to A&E proved lifesaving. "She was grey and barely conscious," he remembers. "The medical team moved with terrifying urgency."
Doctors delivered the devastating diagnosis: Jessica was suffering from streptococcal septic shock and necrotising fasciitis - flesh-eating bacteria spreading rapidly through her system.
The Brutal Treatment
Jessica's fight for survival involved:
- Emergency surgery to remove infected tissue
- Induced coma for five agonising days
- Powerful intravenous antibiotics
- Wound vacuum therapy to promote healing
"Waking up to a body ravaged by infection was psychologically devastating," she admits. "The physical scars barely compare to the mental trauma."
The Hidden Warning Signs
Medical experts emphasise that sepsis often masquerades as minor ailments. Critical symptoms include:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine all day
- Severe breathlessness
- Mottled or discoloured skin
A New Mission
Now recovered, Jessica champions sepsis awareness through the UK Sepsis Trust. "If my story saves one person from enduring this nightmare, every moment of pain will have been worth it," she states.
Her message to others? "Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, seek help immediately. That hesitation could be fatal."
