Regular BBC Morning Live guest Dr Ranj has issued a stark warning about a severe and potentially fatal illness that could be mistaken for flu or a hangover. The doctor and author, who frequently appears on the daytime programme to offer crucial medical advice, was back in the studio on Monday.
During his appearance he told presenters Michelle Ackerley and Gethin Jones about symptoms they should look out for. It came as Gethin queried: “Some of the symptoms [of sepsis] can be mistaken for flu or other winter bugs” as he prompted Dr Ranj to elaborate.
Dr Ranj explained: “It can be a serious condition, sepsis is the potential result of any infection. It’s relatively rare … it happens because either the infection is severe, or the body’s immune system doesn’t react appropriately.”
He added that symptoms “can be similar to other conditions, particularly in the early stages, so it can get mistaken for flu or even hangovers”. The medical expert continued to say that sepsis is more likely to occur with certain germs, such as meningitis, Group B strep in babies, and UTIs in the elderly.
“Very small children, the elderly and those with immune system problems” are also more susceptible to developing sepsis, he stated. When Michelle asked him to outline the symptoms people should be aware of, Dr Ranj responded: “The signs can be different in small children, particularly, to adults. They can be difficult to spot, there is no one test for sepsis.”
However, there are some key signs to watch out for, and these can be remembered using the handy pneumonic sepsis, as below:
- Slurred speech of confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine (in a day)
- Severe breathlessness
- It feels like you’re going to die
- Skin mottled or discoloured
NHS guidance further advises people to all 999 or go to A&E if a baby or young child has any of the following symptoms:
- blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- 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
Or if an adult or older child has any of these symptoms:
- acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast