Virginia Mom Thought She Had the Flu. It Was Sepsis. Here’s What Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
A Virginia mother is sharing her story after what she thought was a case of the flu turned into a life-threatening medical emergency.
According to recent reports, Audrey Leishman initially experienced fever, body aches, weakness, stomach pain, and other flu-like symptoms. As her condition got worse, she was eventually diagnosed with sepsis and spent 10 days in the intensive care unit, including five days in a medically induced coma. Today, she’s using her experience to raise awareness about a condition many people have heard of but may not fully understand.
What’s Sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. Rather than fighting the infection normally, the immune system triggers widespread inflammation that can damage tissues, organs, and blood flow throughout the body. Without treatment, sepsis can lead to organ failure, septic shock, and death.
While sepsis is often associated with severe infections, it can develop from common illnesses, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections, abdominal infections, or infections following surgery.
Why Sepsis Is Often Missed
One reason sepsis can be so dangerous is that its symptoms often resemble more common illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, or a stomach virus.
People may assume they just need rest and hydration when, in reality, their condition is becoming life-threatening fast. In Leishman’s case, symptoms that initially felt flu-like progressed to severe weakness, difficulty breathing, and dangerously abnormal vital signs.
Warning Signs of Sepsis
Symptoms can vary from person to person, but common warning signs include:
- Fever, chills, or feeling very cold
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Severe weakness or extreme fatigue
- Confusion or disorientation
- Dizziness
- Cold and sweaty skin
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Feeling much sicker than expected for a typical illness
The Sepsis Alliance uses the acronym T.I.M.E. to help people remember key warning signs:
T = Temperature higher or lower than normal
I = Infection
M = Mental decline, confusion, or difficulty staying awake
E = Extremely ill, severe pain, or shortness of breath
When Should You Go to the ER?
Sepsis is a medical emergency.
Get care immediately if you have signs of an infection and develop sepsis symptoms. Don’t wait for symptoms to improve on their own. Early recognition and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
Many people assume sepsis only happens to hospitalized patients or people with serious medical conditions. In reality, it can affect otherwise healthy individuals and can get worse quickly.
Leishman’s story serves as an important reminder that when an illness feels a lot worse than expected—or something doesn’t feel right—it’s important to get medical attention. When it comes to sepsis, every minute matters.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of sepsis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.