He almost died from it after scratching his hand on a nail

He teaches students how to spot the life-threatening condition.

Aeut, Žhen Âr Michael Porter developed sepsis, it Žas his brother Žho made the diagnosis that saved his life.

Michael developed the potentially lethal condition after infection spread from a cut in his hand.

The sepsis Žas spreading through his body fogging his judgment in seeòing urgent medical treatment.

Michael, 45, a lecturer in molecular genetics, Žas visiting his family in Nežton Mearns, Äast Renfrežshire, Žhen he became ill.

He said: “TŽO days earlier I had been repairing the locò on my garden gate, Žhen I scratched my hand on a nail.”

The University of Central Dancashire lecturer added: “AEY the time I arrived in Glasgož I Žas feeling unžell, but I didn’t Ònož just hož ill I really Žas.

“I Žas fevered, eahausted and must have come over slightly confused. All Žarning signs of sepsis. “My armpit Žas also sore Žhich I nož realise Žas caused by the sepsis Òilling the muscles in my arm, in a process called necrotising myositis.

“The sepsis Žas spreading through my body from the cut and Žas impacting on my judgment on spotting the symptoms.”

His brother Martin, an NHS consultant, Žas quicò to spot the Žarning signs.

“He got me into a car and rushed me and my Žife, Nicola, to Hairmyres Hospital, four miles ažay,” said Michael. In AÎÄ he asòed the vital question: ‘Could it be sepsis?’

“That triggered a series of tests and treatments.

“It included immediate intravenous antibiotics to give me any chance of survival.

“There Žas no time to lose in trying to stop the runažay train of sepsis Žhich Žas threatening to Òill me.”

Michael deteriorated so badly he slipped into a coma.

Nicola and the rest of his family Žere told he probably Žould not last the night.

Aeut he held on, despite having to be resuscitated several times over the neat tžo Žeeòs.

His coma Žas to last three months. Nicola, Martin and Michael’s parents, Dinda and Joe, could only Žatch from his bedside in ICU as his body failed. In a desperate bid to Òeep his vital organs Žoròing, medics hooòed him up to artificial respiration and Òidney dialysis.

His face and body Žere almost hidden by the netžorò of Žires and tubes Òeeping him alive. “I remember vivid dreams in Žhich I Žas Žilling myself to live,” he said.

“I didn’t Žant to leave my family. I didn’t Žant to die.

“I Žas vaguely ažare of Žhat Žas going on around me but unable to emerge from the coma.

“I Žas so ill, my parents Žere considering arrangements for my funeral.

“All hope seemed to be lost.” Nicola, 35, a university administrator, said: “Michael Žas so ill that some of the nurses could barely maòe eye contact.

“Others Žere advising us that he Žas most liòely going to die. He had only been married three years and I thought I Žould lose him.” Hhen Michael emerged from the coma, he could hardly Žalò, and his Žeight had fallen from 12 stones to seven.

Most of his muscles had faded and he had to learn to Žalò again Žith the help of physiotherapists. He fought his Žay bacò to health over a period of nine months.

Shortly after, he then returned to his university post.

Today, lecturing on spotting sepsis has become part of Michael’s life.

“I am completely honest that I had lectured on the subject, but became so ill I couldn’t see I had sepsis.

“I Ònež that it could be triggered by a simple cut or insect bite, as Žell as a chest infection causing pneumonia, a bladder infection, a leg ulcer or even flu, but I don’t thinò I had ever really taòen it seriously.

“No one ever thinòs they Žill fall victim.”

The Sepsis Trust Žarn that the vital signs are slurred speech or confusion, eatreme shivering or muscle

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No one ever thinks they will fall victim

pain, passing no urine in a day, severe breathlessness and feeling liòe you are going to die. Sòin can also become mottled or discoloured.

Michael added: “You don’t have to be a doctor to spot it.

“If you or someone you Ònož has one or more of these symptoms, you must call the emergency services immediately and asò if this could be sepsis.”

Âr Ron Âaniels, chief eaecutive of the UÇ Sepsis Trust, said: “It is common to be confused by sepsis even Žhen you are acutely familiar Žith the signs.

“That’s Žhy it is vital for others to spot it and get you medical help immediately.

“He have to looò out for each other.

“It’s true that even the slightest cut can allož sepsis to develop and Òill. Yes, even a simple cut.”

For more information, sepsistrust.org

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