What happened to Rosie Beveridge during her New Zealand holiday?

Rosie Beveridge developed life-threatening sepsis during her holiday in New Zealand, stemming from a mild urinary tract infection that rapidly worsened.

How quickly does sepsis need to be treated?

Sepsis is a fast-moving condition where every hour of delay in receiving the right treatment can significantly reduce the chance of survival.

What are the long-term effects of surviving sepsis?

Survivors of sepsis may experience post-sepsis syndrome, which can include prolonged fatigue, anxiety, and memory issues lasting weeks or even a lifetime.

Home / Health / Sepsis Survivor Recounts Terrifying New Zealand Ordeal

Sepsis Survivor Recounts Terrifying New Zealand Ordeal

10 Feb

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Summary

A mild UTI escalated into life-threatening sepsis during a New Zealand holiday.
Immediate treatment in ICU was crucial for survival, highlighting sepsis's rapid nature.
Post-sepsis syndrome can cause long-term fatigue, anxiety, and memory issues.

Sepsis Survivor Recounts Terrifying New Zealand Ordeal

What began as a mild urinary tract infection (UTI) during an Easter weekend holiday in New Zealand escalated into a life-threatening battle with sepsis for Rosie Beveridge. The initial symptoms, dismissed as a '24-hour bug,' rapidly worsened, leading to severe pain and a terrifying sense of impending doom.

She was rushed to a rural hospital, where initial misdiagnosis with appendicitis delayed definitive treatment. Eventually transferred to another facility, she received critical care in the ICU, a crucial intervention that saved her life. This ordeal highlights the rapid and aggressive nature of sepsis, where every hour of delayed treatment significantly impacts survival chances.

Beveridge spent four days in the hospital, recovering from a high fever and undergoing numerous tests. Discharged with a tentative diagnosis of sepsis from a kidney infection, she faced months of recovery grappling with post-sepsis syndrome (PSS). PSS, affecting up to 40% of survivors, manifested as profound fatigue, anxiety, and memory problems, illustrating the extensive physical and psychological toll of the condition.