I brushed off my sore throat as a hangover, but it turned into sepsis
A 21-year-old university student shares her experience of developing life-threatening sepsis after initially mistaking her symptoms for a hangover. She is now advocating for greater public awareness regarding the warning signs of sepsis.
Why it matters
Sepsis is a time-critical medical emergency; sharing personal accounts helps the public recognize symptoms early, potentially saving lives by encouraging prompt medical intervention.
Image source, Elle Black Image caption, Elle Black was in her first year at Cardiff University when she developed sepsis as a complication of quinsy
When Elle Black woke up the morning after a night out in February 2024, she felt dreadful.
The 21-year-old, who was in her first year at Cardiff University, believed her sore throat and flu-like symptoms were a hangover and initially "brushed it off".
But the following day she was being treated in hospital for sepsis , external , a serious reaction to an infection which can be life-threatening. Doctors told her if she had waited another day things could have been "quite different".
Elle is now urging other young people to be aware of the symptoms of sepsis, while the charity Sepsis Research said it was important to never dismiss symptoms that are severe or getting worse.
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