Coronation Street story leads to advice on sepsis symptoms

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been encouraged to be aware of the symptoms of sepsis, amid a storyline about the condition in Coronation Street.

In the popular soap opera, young character Bethany Platt contracts sepsis after undergoing cosmetic surgery, leading to complications which require life-saving medical care.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection causes damage to its own tissues and organs.  Prompt recognition and treatment are essential to offer the best chance of recovery.  Sepsis affects over 245,000 people in the UK each year, resulting in 48,000 deaths.  In fact, sepsis claims more lives each year than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined.

Dr Ian Reckless, chief medical officer at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune response to an infection spirals out of control, leading to widespread inflammation, tissue damage, and organ failure.  It can affect people of any age and can result from infections in many parts of the body, including the lungs, urinary tract, abdomen and skin.

“It’s vital that everyone is able to recognise the symptoms of sepsis, because the earlier it is spotted, the sooner treatment can begin.  Among the main symptoms are a fever, chills or a very low body temperature; an unusually rapid heart rate and breathing; confusion or disorientation; extreme pain or discomfort; and clammy or sweaty skin.

“Because certain groups are at higher risk of developing sepsis, it’s important that parents and carers in particular know what to look for.  Among those who are most vulnerable are the very young and the elderly, people undergoing some immunosuppressive treatment for cancer or other long term conditions, and people who have sustained severe injuries or burns.”

The care required for people who develop sepsis can include antibiotics, fluids and oxygen therapy.  Severe cases may require more intensive care, and the consequences can be lifelong and even fatal.

This is not the first time a soap opera has seen a character diagnosed with sepsis.  Coronation Street has seen both Ryan Connor and Jack Webster diagnosed with the condition, whilst Stacey Slater of EastEnders collapsed in Albert Square after a cut became infected and she developed sepsis.  Listeners to Radio 4’s The Archers were also shocked by the death of Nic Grundy only days after cutting her arm on a rusty nail.