Greenock woman ended up in coma after becoming ill with sepsis on holiday

A woman has told how she ended up in a coma after falling sick on holiday.

Jennifer Gavin, originally from Greenock, became ill with sepsis on a trip to Portugal to celebrate her birthday in September 2024.

She suffered full-body aches, vomiting and symptoms of a fever upon arriving in Porto to mark her 31st birthday.

She visited a GP in London days after returning, and was misdiagnosed with flu. Ms Gavin suffers from Crohn’s Disease and says she spent the next couple of days dealing with extreme fevers and discomfort.

Jennifer Gavin was diagnosed with sepsis after going on holiday. Supplied

Days later, she was rushed to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital emergency department, where doctors explored a number of diagnoses, from gallstones to a perforated bowel, to hepatitis.

It was discovered she had severe pneumonia in both lungs, and was taken to an intensive care unit after her condition worsened, being placed in an intubated coma.

She spent six days on ventilation before doctors discovered a bacterium called Fusobacterium Necrophorum, usually found in the back of the throat, in her lungs, which caused multiple abscesses and severe pneumonia.

“The doctor told me that I was lucky I came in when I did, as I probably wouldn’t have survived the night.”
Jennifer Gavin

She was moved back up to the high dependency unit after spending ten days in the ICU, after becoming septic.

She said: “Throughout my stay, no one ever said that I had sepsis. They never focused on sepsis as my main cause for concern or diagnosis, or explained what this meant.

“It was only when I read my discharge notes weeks later that I noticed the diagnosis of sepsis and understood how ill I had actually been.

“I was initially in disbelief at how seriously sick I had been. I knew I was obviously extremely ill, but being 31, fit and active, it was scary to imagine that I was in a life-threatening situation.

“The A&E doctor told me that I was lucky I came in when I did, as I probably wouldn’t have survived the night, which made me very scared but grateful finally to be in a place to get help.”

She was moved back up to the high dependency unit after spending ten days in the ICU. Supplied

She added: “I was very scared and hesitant about my future when I was diagnosed. I almost didn’t want to plan anything or see anyone because I didn’t want to jinx myself.

“Being in pain constantly for three weeks and living a rollercoaster whilst in hospital meant I could never really believe when things were going well, and I was always expecting the next bad thing.

“I kept saying that I was lucky to be here, but with tears in my eyes – all I wanted to say was how unlucky I felt I had been in the first place.”

Continuing, she said: “I think it’s so important to speak about these things, especially symptoms that may not be on the SEPSIS slogan, as these can all be mistaken for other ailments.

“Being young and fit, I would never have thought I’d have become so seriously ill so rapidly – I want to raise awareness amongst young people, especially.

“My one final message to others would be to trust your instincts and advocate for yourself. It’s better to look silly asking for a second opinion than to lose your life.

“And allow yourself to feel sad and grieve the person that you were before this happened to you, they will come back stronger than before.”

Jennifer is running the London Marathon this year to raise funds for the vital work done by charity Sepsis Research (FEAT).

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Jennifer was a fit and active 31-year-old change manager when she was suddenly struck down by sepsis in September 2024.

“Despite her young age and healthy lifestyle, her condition deteriorated with devastating speed, involving symptoms such as extreme fevers, hallucinations, and tachycardia, with her heart rate reaching 160 bpm.

“Her survival and recovery, which included ten days in ICU and six days in a ventilated coma, is a testament to her own resilience and the intensive care she received after advocating for her own health.

“The impacts of sepsis remain significant, and Jennifer recognises that, like around half of those who survive sepsis each year (some 100,000 people), she has had a significant journey to recovery.

“She has invested immense time and energy into her physical and mental health, including undergoing therapy for PTSD, not only for herself but to help others.

“This incredible commitment is further demonstrated by her decision to run the London Marathon for Sepsis Research FEAT this year, turning her survival into a powerful mission to raise vital funds and awareness.

“Jennifer’s story illustrates clearly the importance of rapid diagnosis for sepsis – an area of research that Sepsis Research FEAT is investing in heavily in 2026 – and that sepsis can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness, and can progress extremely quickly.

“This charity is deeply grateful to Jennifer for sharing her story and for her extraordinary fundraising efforts. The charity looks forward to cheering her on at the London Marathon and working with her in the future to help improve outcomes for others.”

You can view Jennifer’s fundraiser here.

Find out more about Sepsis Research FEAT’s and the signs and symptoms of sepsis at https://sepsisresearch.org.uk/what-is-sepsis-2/