Geraint Mullins did what came naturally when he saw the spot, with no clue as to what would happen next
Geraint Mullins, 24, spent three weeks in hospital after popping a spot on his neck.
Geraint Mullins was in front of the TV when he noticed a spot on his neck. He popped it, like many people do, and thought nothing of it.
But that one act would leave him fighting for his life as his body began to shut down. The now 24-year-old, from Newport, has this week shared his story of how he had to rebuild his life after contracting sepsis.
Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection that has entered the bloodstream. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly. Sepsis may progress to septic shock which is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs.
Sepsis is life-threatening, and is particularly hard to spot, as many do not know which symptoms to look out for. Geraint was one of these people. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here
“I was literally just sat down watching telly when I saw there was a spot on my neck and I decided to go over to the mirror and pop it, as you do.
“It was around three days later it grew into an abscess the size of a golf ball. It was painful, hot to touch, kind of everything that could indicate an infection.”
Geraint said if he had waited any longer to seek medical help, he would not be here today
Thinking the wound was infected, Geraint booked an appointment with his GP. Upon his arrival, the doctor sent him straight to the Royal Gwent Hospital.
“I didn’t even know what sepsis was at the time but literally every symptom of it, I had,” Geraint said.
“I was tired all of the time, I wasn’t getting out of bed, I was really cold at night but also getting sweats.”
His spot turned into an abscess, so he went to get it checked at the GP. He was then rushed to hospital as his body was shutting down
“If you don’t catch it soon enough, sepsis will attack your organs, and your body will start shutting down. This is why if you can’t prevent it, it is so important to catch it early.
Geraint had two surgeries to drain the abscess, but said he remained “baffled” by the fact he could have died from popping a spot.
The hospital found out that his body likely could not fight the infected wound properly because his immune system was compromised. Geraint was unknowingly living with ulcerative colitis, a form of IBD, and it took him almost dying to get this diagnosis.
“I was very lethargic, I was quite out of it, I didn’t really know what was going on,” he said.
“I could have died. I don’t know how close I was to dying, but if I did not catch it when I did, say if I had waited a couple of days, then yeah, I probably wouldn’t be here.
“My message to others would be to educate yourself on sepsis and the symptoms of it. What happened to me could easily happen to anyone. Learn about it, be aware of the signs.
“If you ever feel like you or someone you know is showing symptoms, obviously they are very similar symptoms to the flu, I would not hesitate to go see a doctor and get checked over.
“I would also urge anyone who pops their spots to do it in the most sterile environment.”
Geraint spent three weeks in hospital on a series of antibiotics and getting constant blood tests following the incident, which happened in 2018.
He was bed-ridden upon his return home. He lost all the muscle in his arms and legs and had to rebuild his strength before trying to carry on with his normal life, which at the time was going to school and completing his A levels.
“I had to learn how to walk again, which was tough because I was quite active before. I played football at the time for Riverside Rovers. Growing up I always was active.”
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board shared Geraint’s story as part of its sepsis campaign.
A spokesperson said: “Know the signs and seek urgent medical help, it could save a life:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine (in a day)
- Severe breathlessness
- It feels like you’re going to die
- Skin mottled or discoloured”