Zoe Broderick developed sepsis after reacting badly to a henna tattoo she got while on holiday in Egypt in 2015.
She’s sharing her story to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms, and to encourage healthcare professionals to explain what sepsis is so that patients feel empowered, not dismissed.
In 2015, Zoe Broderick was enjoying a holiday in Egypt when, on one of the final days, she got a henna tattoo between her shoulder blades. Almost immediately, she started to react badly to it.
“Within hours it became inflamed, itchy and incredibly tight,” Zoe said. “It quickly developed into hundreds of tiny blisters which then burst. When I got home, I tried my best to keep it clean – but I didn’t feel well.”
Soon, Zoe developed rashes and hives across her body, but didn’t want to make a fuss. Determined to push through, she got up for work as usual: “I was the opening manager for my store that day. I didn’t want to let anyone down. But when I went downstairs, the next thing I knew I was on the floor. I’d collapsed.”
Zoe’s partner found her and called 999. She was conscious but felt dizzy, breathless, and extremely hot and cold. She remembers not being able to move, despite being aware of what was happening around her.
Paramedics arrived and took her to hospital – where she was quickly diagnosed with sepsis. But almost in the same breath, she was asked why she’d come in an ambulance.
“It was so confusing. I was being told I had sepsis, but also being made to feel like I wasn’t unwell enough to be there. I felt like I’d done something wrong, like I’d wasted their time,” Zoe said.
Zoe was sent home with medication – but her symptoms didn’t improve. She went to another hospital, where she was put on fluids and her medication was increased. A few hours later, she was discharged again.
“I went back to work the next day, which was definitely not my best idea. During my shift, my throat started closing up – that’s how I found out I was allergic to penicillin, which had been included in the medication I’d been given,” Zoe explained.
Luckily, a local walk-in centre recognised the reaction and quickly swapped her medication.
At the time, Zoe had never heard of sepsis. She didn’t realise how dangerous it could be, and no one explained what the diagnosis meant: “I felt completely clueless. No one actually told me what sepsis was. It was so downplayed that I thought I was overreacting.”
It was only after her recovery that Zoe began researching sepsis properly – and now she’s determined to make others aware of the signs.
“If I could go back, I’d tell myself to trust my gut. I knew something wasn’t right – and if I hadn’t passed out that morning, I dread to think what could have happened. I could’ve tried to drive myself to work,” she said.
Zoe is now a passionate advocate for sepsis awareness: “Please, don’t ignore it. Don’t try and force yourself to get better when you’re not. Do your research and ask: Could it be sepsis?
“And to healthcare professionals – don’t assume people know what sepsis is. You don’t have to scare us with statistics, but please take the time to explain the basics. A few simple facts could make all the difference.”
