A young, healthy man in the UK had both legs amputated after misdiagnosing flu-like symptoms, leading to a severe case of sepsis and multiple organ failure. Read his story of survival and recovery.
A young man from Derbyshire, UK, who was considered “fit and healthy,” has tragically lost both of his legs after mistaking life-threatening symptoms for the flu. Levi Dewey, 20, was an active football player who enjoyed an active lifestyle, but his world was turned upside down when a severe illness struck out of the blue.
In December 2022, Levi initially felt flu-like symptoms, which he treated with over-the-counter cold and flu medication. However, his mother, Lara, had a gut feeling that something was seriously wrong when Levi’s condition worsened, and he struggled with “quick and shallow breathing.”
Lara recalled: “He was dosed up on cold and flu tablets but had a high temperature that wouldn’t cool down. He was really drowsy, with no appetite. He just wasn’t my Levi anymore.”
When his symptoms failed to improve, Levi’s parents rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia. Unfortunately, his condition rapidly deteriorated, and he went into septic shock, leading to multiple organ failure.
Levi was placed into an induced coma and given extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment, a life-saving procedure that pumps blood outside the body through an artificial lung to remove carbon dioxide and add oxygen back to the blood.
At one point, his parents were told their son’s condition had worsened and were unsure if he would survive the night. Lara said: “We had no idea what sepsis was at that point or how bad it could be. I thought it was something that only affected older people or something you get from a cut. When I saw him in the hospital bed, mottled and with blue legs, it was clear that sepsis had taken hold of him.”
Sadly, the damage from sepsis was too severe, and Levi was informed that both of his legs would need to be amputated below the knee. The surgery took place just two days before his 21st birthday.
Reflecting on the experience, Levi, now 23, said: “I woke up, and Christmas had passed. It felt like my life was flipped upside down. I had to rely on my family to tell me what had happened; it was all such a blur.”
He admitted the mental and physical challenges of his recovery, saying: “It was difficult to come to terms with what had happened. I was grateful to be alive, but I had to accept living without my legs for the rest of my life.”
Levi’s recovery has been marked by significant adjustments, from relearning how to drive using his hands to adjusting to life at home, which no longer felt the same. “When I got home, it didn’t really feel like home because I was stuck living in my front room. I couldn’t get changed by myself or even sit up.”
Despite the immense challenges, Levi remains positive and thankful for the support of his family. “I am so lucky to have amazing support, and I am thankful I’m still here,” he said. “Getting sepsis has completely changed my life.”
Levi’s father, Neil, shared how they hadn’t realized the severity of sepsis, especially in younger people. “We didn’t know much about sepsis before it affected Levi,” Neil explained. “What we learned is that sepsis affects younger people differently. Levi’s fit and healthy immune system initially masked the symptoms, but then it all went downhill rapidly.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of sepsis include confusion, fast and shallow breathing, and shivering, while septic shock can cause difficulty standing, staying awake, and even fainting.
