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East Kirkby farmer warning about the signs of sepsis after contracting the ‘silent killer’ from an insect bite




A farmer ended up in hospital with sepsis within 48 hours of an insect bite - and could have had his leg amputated if the medication had not worked.

Simon Clayton is now hoping to raise awareness of the symptoms of sepsis after spending a month in and out of hospital as doctors battled to bring the infection under control.

Over the last 18 months, Simon has had a number of flare-ups which has resulted in him requiring a strong course of antibiotics.

Farmer Simon Clayton is raising awareness of sepsis
Farmer Simon Clayton is raising awareness of sepsis

Sepsis is seen as a ‘silent killer’ which affects 245,000 people every year and at least 48,000 losing their lives to this disease - which equates to five people every hour.

The disease has received national attention after former MP Craig Mackinlay lost his hand and feet to the disease and the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills to sepsis - which brought about the introduction of Martha’s Law to the NHS.

Although the history of the disease stretches back to ancient Greece, there is relatively little known about the life-threatening condition - which arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs.

The infected leg which resulted in Simon Clayton being treated for sepsis
The infected leg which resulted in Simon Clayton being treated for sepsis

Simon, 53, who lives near East Kirkby, said: “We all need to be aware of sepsis as it is a massive killer - it is so deadly.”

His battle against sepsis started in February last year when an insect bit his leg while he was loading some sugar beet onto a lorry.

“You don’t think anything of it,” said Simon - who later that night ended up feeling unwell.

Farmer Simon Clayton is raising awareness of sepsis
Farmer Simon Clayton is raising awareness of sepsis

The following morning, his leg had begun to swell and could see the bite marks.

Simon ended up contacting his surgery in Stickney and was asked to send over a picture as there were no appointments and was prescribed antibiotics but unfortunately these did not work.

He said: “The next day, I got up and looked at my leg and it was swelling.”

The infection in Simon Clayton's leg which led to him being admitted into hospital for sepsis
The infection in Simon Clayton's leg which led to him being admitted into hospital for sepsis

The 53-year-old was again asked to send another picture into the surgery and was told that stronger antibiotics would be ready for him later in the day.

But things took a turn for the worse.

Simon said: “By lunchtime I was in a mess - I was shaking, hot and cold. Then I realised that I hadn’t gone for a wee for two days so I rung the doctors and said that I had to see a doctor as I shaking and struggling and felt delirious.”

After being told that there were no slots and asked to send in another picture, Simon demanded to be seen by a nurse.

He said: “By that point my leg up to my groin was swollen - it looked red like a pork chop.”

After seeing the state of Simon’s leg, the nurse then called in the doctor who immediately diagnosed sepsis and said that the farmer needed urgent hospital treatment.

He was taken to Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital and was started on a course of strong antibiotics via an IV drip.

Simon said: “I was told that from the groin there was only one place that the infection would go - and that was to the heart.

“The doctor said it had taken 48 hours to get to my groin and then 12 hours to go to the heart. He said he would try to get on top of it but the other option would be amputation or I wouldn’t be there.

“Thank goodness I turned the corner.”

While Simon did not have a straight forward recovery, having spent a month in and out of the hospital requiring treatment, he was better off than some people who contract sepsis.

He said: “If you are over 65, the mortality rate is 40% as you can’t tolerate it.

“It has taken more 18 months and I am nearly right but not quite there yet. But I am a lot better than I was.

“At the time I had not really heard of sepsis but I was told that I had the standard symptoms of sepsis.

“With farmers you can cut yourself or graze yourself and that is why the infection gets in.”

Three months ago, Simon required another bout of antibiotics following another flare-up and ended up getting treatment at Boston Urgent Treatment Centre as he was told there were no appointments available until May at his surgery.

Simon, who has been told to keep on top of his condition, said: “People need to be aware of the symptoms.”

Rutland man Tom Ray contracted septicaemia in 1999 and as a result, had to have both of his arms, both of his legs and part of his face amputated.

The first recorded case of sepsis was back in 400BC but there is still little known about it.

Sepsis happens when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive and can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and sometimes death, especially if it’s not recognised early and treated quickly.

While there is no single diagnostic test, symptoms of sepsis can present differently in children and adults.

Symptoms in adults are:

- Slurred speech

- Extreme shivering or muscle pain

- Passing no urine in a day

- Severe breahtlessness

- Mottled or discoloured skin.

What to look for in children:

- Fast breathing

- Fit or convulsion

- Mottled, bluish or pale skin

- A rash which does not fade when pressed

- Feels lethargic and difficult to wake

- Abnormally cold to touch

UK Sepsis Trust founder and CEO Dr Ron Daniels said: “Sepsis is indiscriminate: while it primarily affects very young children and older adults and is also more common in people with underlying health conditions, it can sometimes be triggered in those who are otherwise fit and healthy.

“The fact is that farmers and labourers are at increased risk of becoming infected, so any cuts should be cleaned thoroughly, disinfected and covered before returning to work.”

- We have approached Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board for a comment.



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