A “HEALTHY” schoolgirl died just days after being rushed to hospital with silent killer symptoms.
Lauren Menzies, 13, had been relaxing at home with her family like any other day – but within 12 hours she was fighting for her life in hospital.
gofundmeSchoolgirl Lauren Menzies tragically died after contracting sepsis[/caption]
GOFUNDMEThe 13-year-old’s heartbroken family are now raising money and awareness about the killer infection[/caption]
Tragically the Lancashire teen died of sepsis in the days that followed.
Lauren’s family are now raising awareness and money for research around the condition – which kills hundreds of people a week.
Her parents Chris and Sarah have bravely recalled when tragedy struck in December 2019 – and how quickly the 13-year-old deteriorated.
They wrote on JustGiving: “Our daughter, Lauren, was a typical cheeky, beautiful and healthy thirteen-year-old girl. Then she caught the flu, which then turned to sepsis.
“One minute she was laid on the settee at home, watching Modern Family and complaining about the flavor of Lucozade she had been bought, less than 12 hours later she was fighting for her life at Alder Hey.
“A fight that unfortunately she was to lose, less than six days later.”
Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an infection spirals rapidly out of control, injuring its own tissues and organs which can result in multiple organ failure and death.
In the UK, five people every hour die of the infection, making it a bigger killer than bowel, breast and pancreatic cancer combined.
Lauren’s family, from Chorley, are raising money and awareness for charity Sepsis Research FEAT.
They wrote: “We want to concentrate our fundraising efforts going forward towards research into treatments for sepsis.
“That is why we have decided to join with Sepsis Research FEAT in their fundraising initiatives: to improve outcomes for those affected by sepsis.”
Another mum recently opened up about sepsis and how her daughter died – after she thought the youngster had a tummy bug.
KNOW THE SIGNS
An ADULT or OLDER child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
Blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, blueness may be easier to see on the lips, tongue or gums, under the nails or around the eyes
A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
They may not have all these symptoms.
Source: NHS
KNOW THE SIGNS
A BABY or YOUNG child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
Blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, blueness may be easier to see on the lips, tongue or gums, under the nails or around the eyes
A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
A weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
Being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
They may not have all these symptoms.
Source: NHS