Cambridgeshire teen died from sepsis just hours after waking up

January 11, 2017

Adam Tolfree, from Cambridgeshire, went to sleep on Friday evening healthy
But he had woken up with a rash and vomiting, prompting his family to worry
They immediately rushed him to hospital where he was diagnosed with sepsis
After a short battle with the deadly blood infection, he tragically passed away

Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

Published:
08:30 EST, 11 January 2017

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Updated:
09:09 EST, 11 January 2017

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A 16-year-old boy who went to sleep perfectly healthy died from sepsis just hours after waking up the next morning.

Adam Tolfree, from Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, was rushed to hospital on Saturday morning after his family became concerned.

He had woken up with a rash – a tell-tale sign of the deadly blood infection, throwing up and had a high temperature.

But after a short battle he tragically passed away later that evening, reports Cambridge News.

Adam Tolfree, from Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, went to bed on Friday evening in good health. But the next morning he woke with a rash and was rushed to hospital – he died just hours later from sepsis

In a statement, his family paid tribute to their ‘model son’ and credited the efforst of staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital who fought to keep him alive.

They said: ‘He was kind and good hearted and someone who had made a big difference to people’s lives, by being there for them when they needed him. He was thoroughly enjoying life.

‘The family have drawn great strength and comfort from the extraordinary volume of messages of love and support from so many people.

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‘At times like this, you realise just how many wonderful, caring people there are.

‘We would like to pay tribute to the fantastic efforts of the medical team in AE at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, who battled so hard to save him.

‘And also to thank everyone for their kindness and love at such a difficult time.’

In a statement, his family paid tribute to their ‘model son’ and credited the efforst of staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital who fought to keep him alive

His family also claim that Adam, who grew up in Zambia and the US, was up to date with all his vaccinations.

Sepsis affects 150,000 people a year and kills an estimated 44,000, of whom 1,000 are children.

It is usually triggered by an infection but escalates rapidly, sparking a vicious immune response in which the body attacks its own vital organs.

But despite the severity of the condition, it is very tricky to detect. It can develop rapidly and needs prompt treatment in hospital with antibiotics.

Adam’s death comes after ministers agreed to fund a national campaign to raise awareness of sepsis in September.

The Daily Mail played a part in their decision after previously revealing the number of children needlessly dying from the infection.

Although the signs of sepsis are hard to spot, greater knowledge of some of the symptoms could help people get treatment more quickly, and save lives, they said.

In July, an NHS watchdog ordered that doctors and nurses must treat sepsis with the same urgency as heart attacks.

They must ask themselves ‘could this be sepsis?’ whenever they see patients with a rash, high temperature or raised pulse.

Anyone suspected of having the deadly condition – also known as blood poisoning or septicaemia – must be sent to hospital via emergency ambulance and be seen immediately by a senior doctor or nurse.