London Woman's Sore Throat Turns Into Life-Threatening Sepsis
Jennifer Gavin, a 30-year-old change manager living in London, almost lost her life after ignoring what she thought was a common winter bug. What began as a mild sore throat in September 2024 rapidly escalated into severe sepsis caused by pneumonia, landing her in intensive care for 10 days in an induced coma.
From Porto Holiday to Hospital Nightmare
Jennifer, originally from Greenock, Scotland, was an active netball player who enjoyed traveling and socializing. When her throat started feeling sore, she assumed it was nothing serious, especially since friends and colleagues had similar symptoms. She flew to Porto to celebrate her birthday, but by the time she landed, her whole body was in pain.
"I assumed I had the flu," Jennifer recalled. Despite her mother's previous experience with sepsis, Jennifer convinced herself it wasn't serious because she could still urinate normally. Back in the UK, her GP diagnosed flu and sent her home for bed rest.
The Critical Turning Point
On September 13, Jennifer heard her heart pounding in her chest and called NHS 111. The operator advised her to go to A&E immediately due to her persistent fever. This decision saved her life.
"The doctor looked at me and said I was very lucky that I came in as I probably wouldn't have survived the night," Jennifer said. Her family flew to London to be by her side as doctors struggled to diagnose her condition.
Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges
Doctors initially considered various possibilities including gallbladder issues, Crohn's disease flare, and hepatitis before discovering she had pneumonia and was septic. The infection was caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, typically associated with severe sore throats.
Jennifer's treatment included:
- 10 days in ICU
- 6 days in a ventilated coma
- Multiple IV antibiotics
- Chest drain to remove fluid from her pleural cavity
- Additional 9 days in hospital
Learning to Trust Instincts
Jennifer emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy in medical situations. "It was a big lesson for me in trusting instincts and advocating for myself," she said. This lesson proved valuable when she experienced sepsis again in May 2025 and sought help immediately, resulting in much quicker treatment and recovery.
From Survival to Marathon Runner
Now recovered, Jennifer is preparing to run the London Marathon in April 2026 to raise money for Sepsis Research FEAT, the UK's leading sepsis research charity. "The thought of using the same lungs that were so damaged I required a ventilator, to power me through the London marathon is an incredible thought!" she said.
Jennifer's story highlights several critical points about sepsis:
- It can affect anyone, including young, fit individuals
- Symptoms can manifest differently in different people
- Early intervention dramatically improves survival chances
- Self-advocacy in medical situations can be life-saving
With approximately 48,000 people dying from sepsis each year in the UK, Jennifer hopes her story will raise awareness and encourage others to trust their instincts when something feels wrong with their health.
