A young mum who feels lucky to be alive after developing a life-threatening condition is raising money for the charity which helped her recover.

Rachael Wilde, from Juniper Way, Taverham, received emergency treatment in March 2015 for sepsis at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital just 11 days after having her baby son, Rowan.

The 26-year-old experienced severe flu-like symptoms, including shivering and a high temperature, and was told if she had waited another 12 hours for medical treatment she could have died.

Mrs Wilde took six months to recover but had to be treated for extreme sepsis again at the N&N in October.

The condition is triggered by an infection in any part of the body which can affect multiple organs.

To say 'thank you' to the UK Sepsis Trust, which provided valuable support, Mrs Wilde and her husband, Aaron, 28, are tackling a 25km charity trek in the Welsh Brecon Beacons on June 3 and 4 this year.

She said: 'I want to push myself because I'm still recovering. I want to raise awareness about the charity because when I talk to people about sepsis they do not know about it.

'Sepsis affects so many people in different ways. I know I'm very lucky but I'm still affected by it because I worry about having sepsis every time I am ill.

'Sepsis can affect anyone – from newborns to the elderly. It doesn't discriminate.

She was surprised more people were not aware of the condition as it kills more people in the UK each year compared to people who die from breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined.

Each year 150,000 people in Britain are affected by sepsis and 44,000 die from it.

Mrs Wilde, who was not previously aware of the condition added it was simple and quick to treat with antibiotics.

She has since become a nursing assistant and believes awareness should be improved among healthcare professionals and more publicity should be given to sepsis and its symptoms.

She said as well as spreading the message about the condition, the UK Sepsis Trust provided much-needed support for her after the second time she developed sepsis.

Despite still recovering from the illness Mrs Wilde and her husband are determined to complete the charity trek.

The couple are taking part in Trekfest – The Beacons 25km and to donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TrekfestforsepsisSigns of sepsis include flu-like symptoms, extreme shivering, mottled skin and a fast heart rate. Anyone who experiences these should call 111 or 999 in an emergency.

Visit www.sepsistrust.org for more details.

Sepsis symptoms

Below are some of the signs of sepsis for different age groups and where to go for help.

Children under five

Go straight to A&E or call 999 if your child looks mottled, bluish or pale; is very lethargic or difficult to wake; feels abnormally cold to touch; is breathing very fast; has a rash that does not fade when you press it; has a fit or convulsion.

Sepsis symptoms in older children and adults

Early symptoms of sepsis may include a high temperature (fever) or low body temperature; chills and shivering; a fast heartbeat; fast breathing.

Seek medical advice urgently from NHS 111 if you have recently had an infection or injury and you have possible early signs of sepsis.

If you think you or someone in your care has severe sepsis and septic shock go straight to A&E or call 999.

If sepsis is detected early it may be possible to treat the infection at home with antibiotics.