Young Man Loses Both Legs too Sepsis After Mistaking Symptoms for Flu
Leicester, UK – days before turning 21, Levi Dewey’s life took a devastating turn when what he believed was the flu rapidly escalated into septic shock, ultimately requiring the amputation of both legs below the knee. His story serves as a stark warning about the frequently enough-overlooked dangers of sepsis, a life-threatening condition that can strike anyone, nonetheless of age or health.
Dewey, a fit and active football player, initially attempted to manage his flu-like symptoms with over-the-counter medication at home. When his condition failed to improve, his mother intervened, leading to his urgent hospitalization at Royal Derby Hospital. Tests revealed Dewey was suffering from pneumococcal pneumonia and subsequent sepsis, triggering multiple organ failure.
His condition deteriorated rapidly, necessitating a transfer to Glenfield Hospital in leicester were he was placed in an induced coma and connected to an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine – an artificial lung. Doctors determined the only chance for Dewey to survive was a 30% probability, requiring the amputation of both legs below the knee.
“Everything was a blur,” Dewey recounted after waking from the coma, learning he had missed Christmas and faced a life-altering physical change. “When my family told me what had happened, I felt like my life had been turned upside down.I almost died, but I was grateful to be alive, but it was so hard to accept living the rest of my life without my legs.”
the recovery process has been profoundly challenging, both physically and emotionally. “When I returned home, I did not feel at home because I was stuck in the living room. I could not dress or even sit on my own,” Dewey shared. “Sepsis entirely changed my life.”
Dewey’s parents are now speaking out to raise awareness, having previously believed sepsis primarily affected the elderly. “As Levi was fit and healthy, his immune system masked the symptoms until the body could no longer tolerate it. It deteriorated rapidly,” explained his father, Neil.
Dr. Alina Paunescu, Sepsis Clinical Leader at Derby University Hospitals, emphasized that Dewey’s case is sadly not uncommon. “Young patients may initially be resistant due to their strong immune systems, but the situation may suddenly become serious. An aggressive virus or incorrect use of antibiotics can trigger this process,” Dr. Paunescu stated.
Sepsis, frequently enough called a “silent killer,” is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to an infection. Experts urge vigilance for the following symptoms,which can initially mimic the flu:
* extreme tremors and severe muscle pain
* Severe shortness of breath
* Inability to urinate for 18 hours or longer
* Bruising,paleness,or spotting of the skin,lips,or tongue
* mental confusion and disorientation
