A British woman’s struggle with a urinary tract infection (UTI) has left her as a quadruple amputee after she developed life-threatening sepsis. Kim Smith had suffered from bladder issues for years and experienced numerous UTIs, but the latest one went untreated for too long.
Infections like Smith’s affect millions of women worldwide each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 15 million American women get a UTI annually. Poor hygiene, sexual activity, or anatomy can give bacteria an easy entry point into the urinary tract.
If left unchecked, UTIs can spread to the kidneys, turning mild pain into a serious health threat. Smith’s case was particularly severe, and she experienced painful back cramps while on vacation. She was initially turned away by doctors but later received antibiotics that couldn’t be filled at her local pharmacy.
Smith’s condition rapidly deteriorated due to sepsis, which causes inflammation in the lungs, heart problems, and organ failure. Her body went into shock, causing fluid buildup in the air sacs, plummeting blood pressure, and disrupting brain function.
Without immediate medical attention, widespread oxygen deprivation can lead to irreversible damage. In Smith’s case, her limbs turned black due to lack of oxygenated blood, forcing doctors to amputate them.
Sepsis affects millions worldwide each year, with nearly half of patients progressing to multi-organ failure. Those with chronic illnesses face particularly high risks. Smith urges others to be vigilant about symptoms and warns that even healthy individuals can fall victim to infections like hers.
“Watch out for symptoms of sepsis,” she said, “and don’t think it won’t happen to you because I was fit and healthy. It could be you.”
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14919973/My-limbs-amputated-common-infection-affects-15-million-women-year.html