A 23-year-old music fan who thought he had flu died of sepsis just 24 hours after being diagnosed.
Daniel Sheppard was suffering from a high temperature and delirium at his home in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, and a day later was having problems with his vision.
He thought he had been struck down by the flu that had swept the country but when his condition worsened his worried parents called an ambulance.
Daniel Sheppard died just 24 hours after being diagnosed with sepsis. When he first fell ill he thought he had flu. Now his distraught parents are raising awareness of the deadly infection
Paramedics instantly diagnosed sepsis – a condition known as the ‘silent killer’ which can cause death in minutes – and Mr Sheppard was rushed to hospital.
But it was too late and he died on Thurday at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, just three days after falling ill.
His grieving parents – who described their son as their ‘beautiful boy’ – have today urged everyone to be aware of the signs and symptoms of sepsis.
Mr Sheppard’s devastated mother, Nicki, said: ‘He thought it was just the flu. Everyone else had it. But sepsis masks the same symptoms. It all happened so quick and he was gone within 24 hours.
‘He had a raging temperature and he was talking nonsensically. It started on Monday and he was having problems with his vision on Tuesday. But by Wednesday he was really unwell so I called an ambulance.’
She added: ‘Being so young you think you can fight it, but it was so quick. It is such a tragedy at 23 years.’
Mr Sheppard died at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, in Grimsby. Paramedics immediately recognised his symptoms but it was too late
She praised the ‘brilliant’ paramedics from East Midlands Ambulance Service for recognising sepsis instantly.
The parents also thanked the hospital staff for their efforts.
Mr Sheppard’s father, Andrew, said: ‘It got into his system and the blood became the highway through his body.
‘People need to be aware of sepsis and act quickly. Time is of the key. When you mention sepsis, people say ‘What’s that?’
‘There is not a lot of awareness of it. The doctors told us we could not see this coming.’
Ms Sheppard said her son suffered from agoraphobia and did not like going out or having any photographs taken of him.
‘Despite his condition, he loved life. He would spend hours on his computer playing games and was especially keen on World of Warcraft. He had lots of characters.
‘It was a good laugh we did it with him. It was his way of escaping. He loved going on YouTube to research music and actors.’
Mr Sheppard told how his son loved music by Linkin Park and recalled taking him to a gig at Leeds where Daniel saw his two favourite bands – Asking Alexandria and Of Mice and Men.
He said: ‘He loved his music and would have liked to have been in a band. He was a talented lad. He used to pass all his exams with flying colours. He could recognise every national flag in the world instantly.’
He told how Daniel was a keen supporter of Stoke City FC. As well as his parents and grandparents, he is also survived by sister
Samantha, 25 and siblings Lewis, 18, Matthew 16, Alex, 15 and Tazmin, 13.
A funeral service will be held at Grimsby Crematorium from 1.40pm on Wednesday, February 7.