Nel’s close call with death after contracting sepsis is a stark reminder of the condition’s severity.
Article Information:
- By BBC News Team
A seemingly innocuous scratch from his cocker spaniel, Harvey, turned into a life-threatening nightmare for Dr. Jaco Nel.
Just eighteen months prior to his interview, Dr. Nel was playing with Harvey when he sustained a minor scratch on his hand. He cleaned and disinfected the wound, thinking little of it as he went about his day. However, two weeks later, he developed flu-like symptoms, unaware of the grave danger that was unfolding.
Unbeknownst to him, bacteria from his spaniel’s saliva had entered his system, triggering a severe infection that led to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by the body’s overwhelming and dysregulated response to an infection. It is a leading cause of infection-related deaths worldwide.
Dr. Nel survived, but he emphasizes how close he came to death. The septic shock he experienced resulted in a five-day coma and months of hospitalization. Ultimately, he underwent double leg amputations below the knee, lost all fingers on one hand, and suffered facial disfigurement affecting his nose and lips, impacting his speech and eating abilities.
While Dr. Nel’s case is extreme, it underscores the reality faced by millions. Globally, sepsis affects an estimated 20 million people annually. Dr. Nel, a UK resident, now lives with the profound consequences of what began as a simple scratch. He shared his story on the BBC program Victoria Derbyshire, aiming to raise awareness about sepsis and to aid in his own healing process.
“Depression and Anger Overwhelmed Me”
Dr. Nel initially dismissed his worsening condition as a common flu, opting to sleep it off. “I must have become very ill because I felt confused and disoriented. I didn’t hear the phone when they were looking for me because I hadn’t gone to work,” he recounted to the BBC.
“At the end of the day, my partner came home and found me in a terrible state,” he remembers. “She called the emergency services, and they were fantastic. They immediately recognized it was sepsis and started treating me urgently right there.”
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in sepsis cases, dramatically improving chances of recovery.
Early diagnosis is crucial for sepsis survival. Studies indicate that approximately 80% of sepsis cases can be treated successfully if diagnosed within the first hour. However, with each passing hour, the risk of death escalates.
Dr. Nel received intravenous fluids at home and antibiotics in the ambulance en route to the hospital. “But when I arrived at the emergency room at the hospital, I collapsed,” he recalls.
He lost consciousness and remained in a coma in intensive care for four to five days. “And when I woke up, I was shocked to see that practically my entire body was black: my face, my hands, my legs, due to tissue damage caused by abnormal blood coagulation, which is something that happens with septic shock,” he explained to the BBC.
“My kidneys also failed, and I was on dialysis for two months,” he added. “It was a very tough period,” he says with a sigh, recalling the ordeal. “I knew almost from the beginning that I would end up losing my legs and fingers, but I wasn’t sure what would happen to my face.”
“In the end, I lost the tip of my nose, and my lips are scarred, making it difficult for me to speak and eat, although I manage better now.” After four months in the hospital, his leg amputations were performed.
Relearning to Walk
“I’ve always been a determined person; nothing stops me,” he stated. Yet, he admits to experiencing profound lows, questioning if he could endure his situation. “I felt deeply depressed, I felt anger, and at times I thought I couldn’t bear it,” he remembered.
However, with time and the unwavering support of friends, family, and colleagues, he began to move forward.
Sepsis arises when the immune system overreacts to an infection, causing widespread inflammation and organ damage.
“Those thoughts dissipated when I began to see that I could still do things, even if it took more time and effort.” “I think my faith and the desire to return to work and reclaim my life also helped me get through it.”
Shortly after his leg amputations, Dr. Nel began rehabilitation to walk again. “And after three months, I was able to walk again without help and go home,” he said, a laugh of disbelief escaping as he recounted his journey.
A heartbreaking decision Dr. Nel had to make was to euthanize his beloved Harvey. This was to prevent potential infection to others, as Harvey harbored an untreatable infection.
Looking back, Dr. Nel believes there was nothing he could have done to prevent what happened. He disinfected the scratch and lick from his dog. Later, subtle symptoms of sepsis onset, like slurred speech, loss of coordination and balance, and mottled skin, went unnoticed by everyone, including himself, preventing timely medical intervention.
Now, Dr. Nel drives an adapted car and uses a prosthetic nose, which effectively disguises his facial disfigurement. However, he has stopped wearing it, viewing it as a “mask” hiding his story. Openly sharing his experience, as he did with the BBC, is part of his journey of acceptance and recovery.
Sepsis: Understanding the Condition
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sepsis occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection. This exaggerated response damages its own tissues and organs.
- The initial infection can be minor, starting from something as small as a finger cut to a urinary tract infection. If left untreated, it can lead to catastrophic bodily damage, including tissue damage, organ failure, and even death.
- The exact triggers of sepsis remain unclear. Affecting approximately 20 million people globally each year and causing about eight million deaths, it is often termed a “silent killer.”
- Sepsis diagnosis is challenging as early symptoms are varied and can easily be mistaken for flu or other infections.
- The UK Sepsis Trust identifies six common warning signs: slurred speech or confusion, shivering or muscle pain, no urination in a day, severe breathlessness, feeling like you’re going to die, and mottled or discolored skin.
