A man’s life drastically changed in just a few days after he received a minor cut while inflating an old air mattress in his basement.
Georg Winterling, a resident of Germany, sustained a slight injury on his index finger during the task.
What seemed like a trivial injury, however, turned serious when the cut became infected and formed a blister. Concerned about the worsening condition, Georg sought medical advice.
According to DW, the 40-year-old was initially reassured by two doctors that the infection appeared mild. Yet, within a few days, his condition deteriorated significantly.
In just a short span, Georg experienced difficulty breathing and was hospitalized, where it was revealed that he was battling sepsis.
As explained by Mayo Clinic, sepsis is a condition where the body has an abnormal response to an infection. In Georg’s situation, the mouse droppings on the mattress led to the infection, causing the body’s defensive processes to attack its own organs.
This condition can escalate to septic shock, characterized by dangerously low blood pressure that harms organs such as the lungs and kidneys, which is precisely what happened to Georg.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, doctors induced a coma in Winterling to prioritize oxygen flow to his vital organs.
Unfortunately, this meant his limbs were deprived of oxygen, necessitating their amputation.
Reflecting on his life post-surgery, he remarked: “I was completely unaware of what sepsis is and what it can lead to in the end.
“I have only learned recently about how bad sepsis can be. In most cases it leads to death because it is not recognized properly, in that respect I was very lucky to have survived it and still be sitting here today.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi7jLlg2ldo
After the surgery, Georg began therapy to adapt to walking with prosthetic legs and now depends significantly on his family for daily activities.
Despite making significant strides, including returning to his passion for skiing, he wishes for faster progress.
Georg shared with DW: “Things will continue to progress. If one approach doesn’t work, there’s always another.
“And finding that new approach becomes the important thing to do.”