The heartbroken family of a tragic Dublin rapper who died from sepsis have recalled how the silent killer took their beloved son in a matter of days.
Sean “Lil Red” Hughes was just 15-years-old when he passed away in January 2018.
The Finglas teen's devastated parents, Karen Phoenix and Joe Hughes, have since campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness about the condition.
The couple appeared in an emotional video to mark World Sepsis Day, urging people to be aware of the symptoms.
Karen told Dublin Live: "People need to be so vigilant and ask the question, 'Could it be sepsis?'"
Sean came home from school with flu-like symptoms on Monday, 8 January 2018.
His condition hadn't improved two days later and Karen took Sean to their GP, who said he had bad influenza, high fever and chest infection.
The doctor prescribed anti-biotic to the young musician but he continued to go downhill.
Karen said: "By Thursday he was getting worse. By this time Sean had shortness of breath, mottled skin, couldn't sleep, very irritable.
"I was watching TV with him that night and at about 11:30pm he stopped talking to me and I knew straight away there was something wrong and Sean stopped breathing.
"I called for Joe and I had to watch Joe give Sean CPR in front of me while I phoned the paramedics. At 6:30pm on Friday, January 12, Sean passed away."
The family had never even heard of sepsis until it took Sean from them.
Joe said: "Sean had no underlying health issues. He was a happy, healthy young man.
"Since then we've found out there was 15,000 reported cases of sepsis per year in Ireland, leading to 3,000 deaths per year."
Sepsis is a more common cause of death than heart attack, lung cancer, or breast cancer in Ireland.
The signs and symptoms of sepsis include (but are not limited to):
- Confusion or disorientation
- Shortness of breath
- High heart rate
- Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Clammy or sweaty skin
Professor Steve Kerrigan of the Royal College of Surgeons has invented InnovoSep, a potential new breakthrough therapy in the fight against sepsis.
He said: “Sepsis awareness campaigns have proven extremely effective in educating the Irish public around the signs and symptoms of sepsis.
"Increased awareness will mean those who are potentially affected will seek medical assistance at a much earlier stage, ultimately improving the outcome and reducing the number of preventable deaths associated with this condition.
“The symptoms of sepsis mimic those of the flu, and as we approach the flu season it is critical that people know how to spot the signs and symptoms of sepsis and act appropriately.
"The signs and symptoms include high temperature, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, pain, pale or mottled skin, and feeling generally very sick.
“Doctors and researchers continue their work to find ways of effectively treating sepsis, but public awareness is what will really save lives.
"It is critical that people learn to spot the signs and symptoms of sepsis so that they can get to the hospital and initiate treatment as soon as possible.”
