### Newport Man’s Ordeal Highlights Hidden Dangers of Sepsis After Spot Pops
When Newport resident Geraint Mullins noticed a small blemish on his neck, he assumed it was nothing more than a routine spot. Like many, the 24-year-old dealt with it quickly and thought no more of it. However, this ordinary moment marked the beginning of a series of terrifying events that would bring him to the brink of death, shedding light on the often-overlooked risks of sepsis.
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to infection, occurring when the body’s immune response turns dangerously overactive, damaging its own tissues and organs. Each year, thousands in the UK are affected by sepsis, with many unaware of its symptoms or rapid progression. Geraint’s recent decision to share his story forms part of a wider campaign to boost awareness about the condition, which kills more people in Britain each year than prostate, breast, and bowel cancers combined.
After popping the spot while watching television, Geraint soon noticed that his neck became increasingly painful. “At first it was just a bit sore and uncomfortable, nothing unusual,” Geraint explained. “But within a couple of days, the area swelled up massively—it was the size of a golf ball, hot and very tender to the touch.” Alarmed by the symptoms, he booked in to see his GP, who quickly recognised the urgency and referred him directly to hospital.
Within hours of arriving at Royal Gwent Hospital, Geraint was admitted for emergency treatment. Doctors confirmed that he was suffering from sepsis, his body reacting severely to what they determined was an infected abscess. The infection was so potent that Geraint required two separate surgeries to drain the swelling, and was placed on an intensive course of intravenous antibiotics.
The rapid decline in Geraint’s health shocked him and his family. “I didn’t even know what sepsis was at the time,” he admits. “Looking back, I had all the symptoms—total exhaustion, shivering, night sweats, and confusion. My body was simply shutting down.” Health professionals have highlighted how common it is for people—especially younger individuals—to mistake these early warning signs for less serious illnesses such as the flu.
Doctors found that Geraint’s struggle to fight the infection was worsened by an undiagnosed underlying condition, ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease that can weaken the immune system. “It took almost dying before I found out about my colitis,” he says. “I was always tired, but I put it down to school and football. In hindsight, I wish I’d been more aware.”
After spending three harrowing weeks in hospital, Geraint was eventually discharged, but the ordeal was far from over. He returned home bedridden, having lost significant muscle mass and strength in his arms and legs. “I literally had to relearn how to walk,” he recalls. “As someone who’d always been active—playing football with my mates—it was incredibly tough.”
While Geraint’s story is a sobering reminder of how quickly medical emergencies can take hold, it also serves as an important educational tool. The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has shared his experience as part of their campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of sepsis and the importance of recognising its warning signs. The main symptoms to watch for include slurred speech, extreme shivering, severe shortness of breath, mottled or discoloured skin, passing no urine, and a feeling of impending doom.
Geraint now urges others not to underestimate potential infections and to act promptly if warning signs appear. “Don’t think it couldn’t happen to you,” he says. “If you feel unusually ill, don’t hesitate to get checked out—especially if symptoms don’t improve. And if you do pop spots, make sure it’s in the cleanest environment possible.”
To this day, Geraint continues to rebuild his life and health, hoping that by speaking out, he might help someone else avoid a similar ordeal. As awareness grows, local health officials are hopeful that more people will recognise the signs of sepsis, seek care early, and avoid tragic consequences.