At Mini First Aid, our mission is to make sure every parent and carer feels confident and empowered to act fast in an emergency. And when it comes to sepsis in children, knowing the signs and trusting your gut instinct can literally save lives.
In this very special blog, we’re sharing the story of Melissa Mead MBE – a truly incredible mum who now works with the UK Sepsis Trust, following the tragic death of her baby boy, William.
This one’s emotional – we won’t lie. But please stick with us. If you care for little ones, this could be the most important blog you read today.
Meet Melissa Mead
Melissa is a mum, a campaigner, and one of the most courageous people we’ve ever met. She lost her one-year-old son, William, to sepsis in 2014. Since then, she’s dedicated her life to raising awareness of sepsis in children and works with the UK Sepsis Trust to help prevent similar tragedies.
Melissa joined us on the Family Health by Mini First Aid podcast, and her words had such an impact on us, we knew we had to share her story here on the blog.
William’s story
William was a happy, healthy baby. There were no underlying health issues, no dramatic warning signs. Like many little ones starting nursery, he picked up a runny nose and a sore throat - the usual winter bugs.
Melissa took him to the GP when he seemed under the weather. She was told it was just a viral cough. He was still eating, still smiling, still toddling about.
But over the next few weeks, William’s cough worsened. It disrupted his sleep. He wasn’t eating as much. He lost weight. Melissa took him back to the doctor multiple times, only to be told the same thing: "It’s just viral. Keep an eye on him."
Then, one Friday in December, William had a high temperature and refused his breakfast. He still wanted to go to nursery - he loved it there - but by mid-morning, nursery staff called to say he wasn’t himself, he was exceptionally tired, more so than ever before. Melissa picked him up and tried again to get him seen.
“You’re a first-time mum, you’re bound to be worried”
Melissa and her partner Paul managed to get a last-minute doctor’s appointment that evening. William’s temperature was now 40.1°C, and he was crying, restless, and clearly distressed - completely out of character for such a chilled baby.
Still, the doctor reassured them it was “just viral,” likely teething-related, and said, “You’re a first-time mum, you’re bound to be concerned.” No hospital referral, no safety netting advice, no mention of sepsis.
That night, William's temperature dropped - which Melissa thought was a good sign. But by Saturday, he was worse. Pale, sleepy, not interested in food or drink, not wetting his nappy and making a funny cry. She called 111 and was told it was a non-urgent case, with a six-hour callback.
“The last words he ever heard me say”
That evening, Melissa put William to bed, telling him: “Goodnight sweetheart, I love you.” She knew something wasn’t right. She even rang 111 again and pushed to speak to an out-of-hours doctor. But again, she was told it was likely viral and to keep him at home.
The next morning, William had died in his sleep.
Melissa performed CPR until the paramedics arrived, but it was too late. William had passed away in the night from sepsis caused by pneumonia.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming response to an infection. It can begin with something as simple as a cough, a sore throat or a tummy bug - but if not caught early, it can cause organ failure and death.
It can affect anyone, but babies and young children are especially vulnerable.
The signs of sepsis in children
If you remember nothing else from this blog, remember these symptoms.
From the UK Sepsis Trust, the key signs of sepsis in babies and young children are:
- Breathing very fast
- Looks mottled, bluish, or pale
- Very lethargic or difficult to wake
- Feels abnormally cold to touch
- Has a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed
- Not passing urine (or no wet nappies for 12+ hours)
- Vomiting and not feeding
Melissa now knows that William showed several of these signs - but at the time, she wasn’t told what to look for. She thought a dropping temperature was a good sign. In reality, his body was shutting down.
“If it doesn’t feel right – say so”
Melissa's biggest message to every parent is this: “Trust your instincts. You know your child. Ask the question: could it be sepsis?”
If you’re told it’s just viral, that might be true - but ask why. What rules out sepsis?
Knowledge is power. Melissa says, “Don’t be afraid to ask. Confidence isn’t arrogance. You are your child’s voice.”
Could Martha’s Rule have saved William?
Melissa is a vocal supporter of Martha’s Rule - a proposed policy that would give families the right to request an urgent clinical review if they believe their child is deteriorating in hospital.
She believes such a rule could have changed everything for William - and many other families.
“Healthcare professionals are under pressure, but those few minutes could change everything. Listen to parents. Take them seriously.”
What happened after William’s death?
An NHS investigation found 16 failings in William’s care, including four missed opportunities to save his life.
Now Melissa shares William’s story across the UK, working with NHS Trusts and the Sepsis Trust to train healthcare professionals and improve how sepsis is recognised and treated.
She does it because she’s still William’s mum. And sharing his story keeps his memory alive.
“I am the person I am today because of the little boy who lived – not the little boy who died.”
What can YOU do?
Whether you're a new parent or a seasoned pro, here's what we want you to take away:
- Learn the symptoms: Visit the UK Sepsis Trust to read up on symptoms for different age groups.
- Take a Mini First Aid class: We cover sepsis awareness in all our Parent & Carer First Aid classes, alongside other essential topics like CPR and choking. You’ll leave feeling informed, empowered, and ready to act if something doesn’t feel right. Find a class near you.
- Speak up: If your child is unwell and your gut tells you something is wrong, say so. Ask: Could it be sepsis?
Let’s keep the conversation going
If you found this blog helpful, please share it. We want to reach as many parents, grandparents, and carers as possible. Because the more people who know the signs of sepsis, the more lives we can save.
And finally - thank you Melissa. For your honesty, your bravery, and your endless love for William. We are truly honoured to help share your story 💚
Listen to the podcast
To hear Melissa’s full story in her own words, head over to the episode of Family Health by Mini First Aid podcast. You can listen on all major platforms, or watch on YouTube.
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