Mum issues heart-wrenching warning to other parents after tragically losing her one-year-old son to sepsis
All parents should know about the dangers of sepsis
A MUM has launched an emotional awareness campaign, after suffering the heart-breaking loss of her baby boy.
In 2014, Melissa Mead discovered that one-year-old William had died from sepsis after finding him in his cot.
Last January, the grieving mum revealed that a number of tragic errors could have cost her child his life.
Melissa broke down in tears as revealed that she had made multiple trips to her GP and made a phone call to 111.
Tearfully, she said: “I rubbed his cheek and it was warm and he didn’t move, so I put my arm through the bars of the cot and touched his arm and it was cold.
“So I pulled the curtain and he was gone.”
Little William died from sepsis- the UK’s second biggest killer, despite taking him to doctors multiple times.
She added: “I was checking William all the time for a rash, because it’s drummed into your head to check for a rush.
“I didn’t think sepsis because I didn’t know what sepsis was.”
What is sepsis?
The NHS explains: "Sepsis, also referred to as blood poisoning or septicaemia, is a potentially life-threatening condition triggered by an infection or injury.
"In sepsis, the body's immune system goes into overdrive as it tries to fight an infection.
"This can reduce the blood supply to vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys.
"Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death."
Symptoms of sepsis include:
- A high temperature (fever) or low body temperature
- Chills and shivering
- A fast heartbeat
- Fast breathing
In order to raise awareness for the condition during sepsis awareness month, Melissa bravely shared her story in a heart-wrenching video.
As the clip begins, Melissa reveals that she is expecting a second child.
Heartbreakingly, the mum revealed her struggle to cope with the fact that her two kids will never have the chance to be together.
Teary Melissa holds up a sign that reads: “Here is his little sibling, due in September 2016.
“I will never have a picture of them together. Because William lives in heaven now, and they will never meet.”
The devastated mum admits that she didn’t know anything about the condition before the tragedy struck.
She revealed: “The first time I saw the word sepsis was on William's death certificate' - but the condition is not rare in any sense of the word.”
Explaining more about the illness, Melissa added: “Sepsis is the body's reaction to an infection. It injures its own tissues and organs. It leads to shock, multiple organ failure and death.”
In order to help raise funds and awareness for the battle against sepsis, Melissa urges her followers to spread the word.
The determined mum concluded: “Sepsis stole William's life. He will never say his first words, never have a first day at school, get married or have children. He did not deserve that.
“My hope is that no other family has to lose their child, parent or friend to sepsis when it could be avoided. This is William's legacy.”