‘Healthy’ Lauren Menzies, 13, died days after being rushed to hospital with silent killer symptoms – know the signs
A "HEALTHY" schoolgirl died just days after being rushed to hospital with a silent killer disease.
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.
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 every week.
Her parents Chris and Sarah have bravely recalled when tragedy struck in December 2019 - and how quickly the 13-year-old deteriorated.
When the girl started feeling queasy and breathing fast, Sarah thought her symptoms nothing more than a "tummy bug".
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She told the : “When I took her in, I was worried I was over-reacting a bit.
“There was so much (illness) going around, I didn’t think it was anything out of the ordinary.
"She’d been at her dance class on Monday and a drama production on the Tuesday, so there was no indication it was anything more serious than a tummy bug.
“She’d stayed off school and was on the settee, moaning about the flavour of Lucozade her dad had got her.
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“I wasn’t concerned, but then she started breathing a bit fast and seemed a bit confused.
“Then she went downhill so quickly. When we got to A&E she walked up to the counter and was talking to the woman there. Then while we were sat there she deteriorated. She got more confused, she was giving people hugs, weird stuff.
"When she was being triaged, she was asked her date of birth and got confused over the month."
Six days later, Lauren died.
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.
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"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
- 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
- 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