A Peterborough woman is fronting a Sepsis campaign after surviving the medical condition earlier this year. 

24-year-old Harriet Little is supporting Sepsis Research FEAT by becoming the face of the charity’s Christmas campaign helping people understand the impact of sepsis and how to learn about the symptoms. 

Harriet, a gold medal winning Archery GB team member, survived sepsis earlier this year after undergoing five blood transfusions. She continues to suffer from ongoing urosepsis.  

Sepsis Research FEAT’s Christmas campaign features supporters like Harriet sharing their sepsis stories to improve awareness of the symptoms and how important urgent medical care is if you identify these symptoms in yourself or a loved one.  

The five key symptoms of sepsis everyone should know are: 

Confusion  

Not passing as much urine as normal 

Very high or low temperature  

Uncontrolled shivering 

Cold or blotchy arms and legs  

Sepsis can be hard to recognise and diagnose because symptoms in its early stages can be similar to common winter conditions like the flu and chest infections.  

If someone has any of the key symptoms becoming noticeably worse, this could indicate sepsis and urgent medical attention should be sought.  

Sepsis in the body’s overreaction to an infection where the body begins attacking its own tissue which can cause multiple organ failure and death. 

It takes the lives of approximately five people every hour in the UK.  

The campaign also tributes the many who’ve already been lost to sepsis with a Christmas video featuring singer Natalie Rushdie, whose daughter had sepsis in 2021, singing Auld Lang Syne.  

It can also be hard for people with sepsis to spot the signs in themselves so Sepsis Research FEAT is urging people to look out for others this Christmas. 

Harriet said: “I am sharing my story as I want to raise awareness about sepsis for the public but also to help medical professionals know all the red flags of sepsis.” 

Colin Graham, chief operating officer at Sepsis Research FEAT, said: “Please join us this Christmas by spreading the word about sepsis and how to recognise the symptoms.”  

To share your sepsis experience online using #StopSepsisNow. 

For more information about Sepsis Research FEAT and their Christmas campaign, visit https://sepsisresearch.org.uk