What is sepsis? Diversity star Jordan Banjo's newborn son rushed to hospital with condition

Marie Claire Dorking
a close up image of Jordan Banjo who's five-week-old son has been rushed to hospital with sepsis. (Getty Images)
Jordan Banjo's five-week-old son has been rushed to hospital with sepsis. (Getty Images)

Jordan Banjo’s newborn baby was rushed to hospital with suspected sepsis after his wife, Naomi, “felt like something wasn’t right”.

The Diversity star’s five-week-old son, Atreus, was immediately admitted with sepsis and suspected meningitis, Naomi wrote on Instagram. In the post, she listed the symptoms the baby had displayed.

“It’s been the most emotionally draining, frightening week of our lives. We’ve cried a lot, we’ve barely slept, and we’ve discussed the worst .. but we’ve carried each other through possibly one of the most traumatic weeks of our lives,” she added.

Giving an update on Atreus' health, Naomi said that the family is five days in and Atreus has a stable temperature and things are “looking positive”.

A post shared by Naomi Banjo (@naomibanjo)

Last year, Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper was hospitalised twice with sepsis and placed in intensive care.

“When you've got sepsis the big challenge is finding the source of the infection quickly and getting the right antibiotics,” Garraway said in an update of Draper’s condition at the time.

"His kidneys were really badly infected, blocked. The challenge now is to save them. So, that’s where we’ve been for the last three weeks. One kidney is looking really good. We just need to look at the other one."

Kate Garraway has given an update on her husband, Derek Draper's latest health issue, pictured together in 2009. (Photo by Jon Furniss/WireImage)
Kate Garraway has given an update on her husband, Derek Draper's latest health issue, pictured together in 2009. (Getty Images) (Jon Furniss via Getty Images)

What is sepsis?

According to the the UK Sepsis Trust sepsis is a serious complication of an infection, that without quick treatment can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

Latest figures estimate that there are about 250,000 cases every year in the UK, and more than 50,000 deaths, that’s around five people in the UK being killed by sepsis every hour.

Around a quarter of all sepsis survivors suffer permanent, life-changing after effects of the condition.

If not treated quickly enough sepsis can be life threatening. (Photo: Getty)
If not treated quickly enough sepsis can be life threatening. (Getty Images)

Sepsis risk factors

You may be more at risk of developing sepsis if you have a weak immune system, if you’re already in hospital for a serious illness, if you’ve had recent surgery or an open wound, or if you have a long term health condition.

But though some people are more at risk of others it is important to note that sepsis can affect anyone, regardless of age (in fact, children can be more prone to it than adults), so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms so that you can get treatment as soon as possible.

Sepsis symptoms

According to the UK Sepsis Trust sepsis can initially look like flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection.

Symptoms to look out for in adults according to the NHS:

  • a high temperature or a low body temperature

  • chills and shivering

  • a fast heartbeat

Call 999 or go to A&E if an adult or an older child has:

  • a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it

  • difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast

  • blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue

  • acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense

Call 999 or go to A&E if baby or young child has these sepsis symptoms:

  • skin looks mottled, bluish or pale

  • is very lethargic or difficult to wake

  • feels abnormally cold to touch

  • is breathing very fast

  • has a rash that does not fade when you press it

  • has a fit or convulsion

Patients should be given antibiotics within an hour of suspecting sepsis
Patients should be given antibiotics within an hour of suspecting sepsis. (Getty Images)

Treatment for sepsis

The NHS says that if sepsis is detected early enough and has not affected vital organs yet, it may be possible to treat the infection at home with antibiotics. But if the condition becomes severe or leads to sepsis shock, most will need to be admitted to hospital, with some requiring treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU).

People with severe sepsis often witness problems with their vital organs, which means they are likely to be very ill and the condition can be fatal. However, if sepsis is identified and treated quickly enough, in most cases patients will make a full recovery with no lasting problems.

Sepsis: Read more

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