“Fit & Healthy” Man, 20, Loses Both Legs After Mistaking Sepsis for the Flu

Levi Dewey, a 20-year-old from Derbyshire, U.K., considered healthy and active, found himself facing a life-altering outcome after dismissing troubling symptoms as merely “the flu.” What followed was a rapid downward spiral: hospital diagnosis, septic shock, multiple organ failure, and ultimately the amputation of both legs just days before his 21st birthday.

Initially, Levi treated his illness with over-the-counter cold and flu remedies. His mother, Lara, later said her “mother’s intuition” sensed something was off when he began breathing rapidly and his fever refused to subside. He became drowsy, lost his appetite, and showed signs of systemic distress.

Diagnosis, Treatment & Amputation

At the hospital, Levi was diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia, which developed into sepsis. He was placed in an induced coma and treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a life-support technique that oxygenates blood outside the body.

Despite all efforts, blood flow to his legs became critically compromised. Doctors made the grim decision to amputate both legs below the knee—just two days before his birthday.

He survived with about a 30% chance at one point. Upon waking, Levi recounted the shock of waking to amputation news, the disorientation, and how his life had been flipped upside down.

The Aftermath: Life Rebuilt Under New Terms

Levi and his family now speak openly about the profound impact. He’s had to relearn everyday things—walking with prosthetics, driving using hand controls, adapting to new routines. He describes days that feel foreign and homes that no longer “feel like home.”

Despite the trauma, Levi expresses gratitude and a will to persevere. He says: “I am so lucky to have amazing support… but getting sepsis has completely changed my life.”

Sepsis in Young People: Why It Can Be Missed

This case illustrates a disturbing truth: sepsis doesn’t always look dramatic at first, especially in young, healthy individuals. Because the immune systems of younger people may initially mask severe internal dysfunction, symptoms can be underestimated—until it’s too late.

According to the Mayo Clinic (cited in the article), warning signs of sepsis include:

• Confusion or disorientation
• Fast, shallow breathing
• Shivering or muscle pain
• High fever not responding to treatment
• Difficulty waking or staying awake
• Reduced urination
• Skin discoloration or mottling as circulation fails

If sepsis progresses to septic shock, signs worsen: dramatically low blood pressure, multiorgan failure, and the kind of tissue damage that may necessitate amputation. Blood clotting, poor perfusion, and necrosis often drive these outcomes.

Another recent example: a 14-year-old boy, Mathias Uribe, had to have both legs and hands amputated after initially mild flu-like symptoms worsened into full septic shock and systemic failure.

Key Lessons & Warning Signals

• Don’t dismiss worsening symptoms: If fever, unsettling breathing, confusion or intense fatigue persist, seek medical care immediately.
• Time is critical: Early intervention with antibiotics, fluids, and monitoring is essential to reduce systemic damage.
• Young doesn’t mean invulnerable: Even strong, otherwise healthy people can succumb quickly.
• Awareness & education: Families, schools, and clinicians all need better recognition of when “flu” becomes dangerous.

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