'Bubbly' teen dies from 'silent killer' after having flu symptoms at school

07 September 2023 , 17:23

503     0

Sean Hughes' family say he had no health issues prior to his death (Image: Sean Hughes)

A “bright and bubbly” teenager who dreamed of being a musician died four days after he came home from school complaining of flu.

Seán Hughes was renowned as a local singer and performer and known by the stage name of Lil Red, performing on stages including the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park. However one day he came home from school with flu-like symptoms and was taken to their family doctor.

He was prescribed antibiotics but the next day felt worse so was rushed to hospital in Dublin. Tragically he died on January 12, 2018 - four days after he first complained of feeling unwell. An inquest later found his cause of death was sepsis.

His father Joe, told the Irish Times: "He was only 15 years old and was a healthy young man with no underlying health issues. From a very early age it was clear that he was bound for great things, as he was a singer, entertainer, comedian and best friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Sean Hughes died days after he first complained of feeling ill at school (Sean Hughes)

“The doctors in the hospital were baffled as they had absolutely no clue what was wrong with Seán and one doctor told us that if he was to survive, there would be some damage to his brain as a result of the lack of oxygen.

'Angel' girl, 6, dies suddenly just hours after suffering stomach pains

“We had never heard of sepsis before this, not once were we educated on this silent global killer which stole our son’s life – at no time was the term sepsis mentioned to Karen or me by the family doctor, the paramedics, or the doctors in the hospital.”

Sepsis is a life threatening condition, and what makes it even more serious is that the symptoms can be hard to spot - and there are a lot of them. , also known as septicaemia or blood poisoning, happens when your "immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs," states the .

If sepsis is allowed to progress it can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs, and can be fatal. That's why it's so important to be aware of some of the more 'silent' symptoms that can arise. In some cases, if someone has developed severe sepsis or sepsis shock, your can drop to a dangerously low level. This can cause difficulty standing up, feeling dizzy or lightheaded or faint.

Symptoms of sepsis

Sepsis can have many symptoms, many of which are also sigs of other conditions such as flu or chest infections. Some of the other common symptoms of sepsis, according to the NHS, are:

• weakness

• chills

• a rapid heart and breathing rate

• low blood pressure

• a change in mental state, like confusion or disorientation

• diarrhoea

  Mum-of-six from losing fingers and toes after doctor said 'go back to bed'

• nausea or vomiting

• cold, clammy and pale skin.

Antony Clements-Thrower