A 23-year-old woman from Australia, Caitlin Alsop, narrowly escaped death after an infected wisdom tooth led to sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Caitlin had been experiencing what seemed to be a harmless facial rash for months, along with flu-like symptoms that her doctor initially diagnosed as the flu.
A Terrifying Turn of Events
Caitlin felt better for a while, but during a dinner with a friend, she suddenly experienced swelling and difficulty speaking, as if she had bitten her tongue. Her family initially suspected an allergic reaction, but when she couldn’t swallow her medication, they rushed her to the hospital.
Doctors at the hospital suspected anaphylaxis and administered adrenaline. However, Caitlin’s condition worsened, and she slipped in and out of consciousness, with a severe rash spreading across her upper body.
The Medical Mystery Unfolds
At Gold Coast University Hospital, her condition baffled doctors until an anaesthetist suspected Ludwig’s angina, a serious infection of the mouth and neck. A CT scan confirmed the diagnosis—an impacted and infected wisdom tooth was causing the life-threatening symptoms.
Emergency surgery was performed to remove the infected tooth and relieve pressure on her jugular vein, but Caitlin’s ordeal was far from over. She fell into a nine-day coma and awoke disoriented, unable to speak or eat properly.
The Long Road to Recovery
Caitlin’s recovery took months, during which she learned that the infection had progressed to sepsis, a dangerous overreaction of the immune system that can be fatal if not treated promptly. Grateful to have survived, she is now dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of sepsis.
Caitlin founded the “Face Sepsis” project to educate both healthcare professionals and the public about the symptoms of sepsis and the importance of early diagnosis. As World Sepsis Day approaches, Caitlin is sharing her story to help prevent others from experiencing the same terrifying ordeal.
