Made In Chelsea star rushed to hospital and nearly dies after life-threatening infection
A TOP Made in Chelsea star has revealed he "nearly died" after contracting sepsis.
The E4 personality opened up on his "terrifying" medical dash - sparked by the failure of his liver and kidneys - and admitted he is lucky to be alive.
Sam Vanderpump joined Made In Chelsea after being inspired by his reality TV star aunt Lisa Vanderpump, 64, who is a fan-favourite on US series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
The 27-year-old signed up last year, and has proved popular on-screen.
Yet away from the cameras it has been a different story after his "terrifying" medical ordeal in December.
Sam was whisked to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital with what he suspected was flu-like symptoms, after spending days in bed with back pain.
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After the sheer reality of his health crisis was revealed, he told MailOnline: "I thought I was going to die. I didn't think my body could cope and that was the scariest thing. It was terrifying.
"I remember the doctor saying to me that I was going into liver and kidney failure. I burst into tears.
"My mum didn't react badly, you would expect her to be in complete meltdown, but she didn't want to scare me.
"The words they used for the function of my liver were 'deranged' and 'demonic.'
"You don't feel your organs normally but when they stop working and because my liver and kidneys weren't working my heart was in overdrive, my pancreas was struggling, my spleen wasn't well…"
Sam also suffered jaundice as a result of his condition and had a catheter fitted, which caused severe water retention.
He was then told by doctors if his girlfriend Alice Yaxley, 23, had made her call to the emergency services 24 hours later, he would be dead.
He added to the publication doctors had told him he was the "sickest" patient on the ward at the time of his admission.
Sam said: "I was really, really fighting to keep myself alive. I didn't think I was going to survive or see the outside of the hospital again.
"You never think the flu will lead to you being in a hospital bed and nearly dying.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
SEPSIS is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that happens when your immune system overreacts and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs.
Symptoms of sepsis in an adult include:
- Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
Symptoms in a child include:
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- A weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
- Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- Being sleepier than normal or having difficulty waking
They may not have all these symptoms.
If you think you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
Source: NHS
"They told my mum that if I had got to hospital 24-48 hours later, I wouldn't have made it.
"By calling the ambulance, my girlfriend literally saved my life."
Sam's liver and kidney disease has been an underlying condition through his life.
Yet it has laid dormant for the past 28 years.
After being released from hospital on Christmas Eve, he has vowed to raise awareness of his condition and sepsis on the next Made In Chelsea series.
FAMILY AFFAIR
Sam's parents are Simone and the late Mark Vanderpump.
Mark's sister is Lisa Vanderpump - a huge reality TV star in the US.
Talking of her role on Bravo series RHOBH Sam previously said: "My aunt is always extremely supportive and proud of me.
"She always gives her two cents, though – she wouldn’t be her if she didn’t keep me in check and give me advice."
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He added to Hello! Magazine: "She always tells me: ‘You don’t need to raise your voice.
"Keep calm and don’t let anyone get the best of you.’”
