Caitlin Alsop, a 23-year-old, initially dismissed a facial rash, believing it to be a minor inconvenience. As the rash persisted, she developed flu-like symptoms but ignored them until her doctor diagnosed her with the flu, recommending rest. Although her condition improved briefly, a troubling incident occurred during a dinner with a friend. Caitlin accidentally bit her tongue, leading to immediate swelling and rendering her unable to speak. Her family suspected an allergic reaction and, given her difficulty swallowing medication, took her to Gold Coast University Hospital.

At the hospital, doctors suspected an allergic reaction and administered anaphylaxis treatment, including adrenaline. Despite these efforts, Caitlin’s condition deteriorated. She lost consciousness, developed a severe rash all over her body, and experienced blackening of her tongue and significant changes in her skin. The severity of her symptoms prompted further investigation.

An anesthetist, considering the symptoms and her worsening condition, suspected Ludwig's angina, a potentially life-threatening infection affecting the mouth and neck. A CT scan confirmed this diagnosis, revealing that the infection originated from an implanted wisdom tooth. The infected tooth had caused a severe inflammatory response, putting immense pressure on her jugular vein.

Immediate surgery was necessary to remove the infected tooth and relieve the pressure. However, Caitlin's condition was critical, and she fell into a coma for nine days. Upon waking, she faced significant challenges, including speech impairment and difficulty eating. Her recovery was prolonged, and it was eventually determined that the infection had progressed to sepsis, a severe systemic response to infection.

The near-death experience from sepsis had a profound impact on Caitlin. After months of recovery, she decided to channel her experience into a mission to raise awareness about sepsis. She launched the "Face Sepsis" project, dedicated to educating both healthcare professionals and the public about the symptoms of sepsis to enable earlier detection and treatment.

As World Sepsis Day approaches, Caitlin shares her story to highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing sepsis. Her advocacy aims to save lives by improving awareness and understanding of this critical condition, which continues to claim thousands of lives each year. Caitlin's journey from misdiagnosis to sepsis survivor underscores the need for vigilance and education in preventing and managing this life-threatening condition.

Reference :

1. Zick, Marvin. “Caitlin’s Sepsis Story – Wearing Her Scars with Pride — World Sepsis Day - September 13.” World Sepsis Day - September 13, September 20, 2019. https://www.worldsepsisday.org/news/2019/9/20/caitlins-sepsis-story-wearing-her-scars-with-pride-alsop-sepsis-survivor.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)