"No one is safe from sepsis"
Jennifer Epifanio's son Elia was just 14 years old, athletic, full of energy and dreams, when he died of septic shock within a few days at the end of March 2023. His mother tells her and Elia's story in the hope of raising awareness among other families.
On March 21, 2023, up-and-coming karting talent Elia Epifanio celebrated his 14th birthday at a school camp. Three days later, he was training in Italy in preparation for the upcoming Swiss Karting Championship—as always, with boundless enthusiasm and energy. This time, on the drive home, he seemed unusually tired and complained a little about a mild sore throat. Despite having a cold, the teenager was determined to check out the newly completed kart track in Wohlen the next morning. “He was absolutely thrilled; he walked the track in the rain while I waited for him in the car,” recalls his mother, Jennifer.
On Sunday, Elia’s family celebrated his birthday – nothing indicated that he would be fighting for his life 24 hours later. On Monday night, his condition worsened. He had a fever of 39 degrees and was coughing so badly that he couldn’t go to school. In the morning, he was given antipyretic medication and around midday, Elia began to breathe conspicuously heavily, or rather it became difficult for him. At this point, he suddenly lay on the floor crying in pain and said: “Mommy, I’m in so much pain, I want to see a doctor. I can’t take it anymore!” This was alarming for his mother. Elia had never been ill before and was not sensitive to pain.
As the pediatrician was ill and the mother’s family doctor was unable to offer a prompt appointment, Elia wanted to go to the emergency room. The 14-year-old could barely walk due to the pain and therefore needed a wheelchair. In addition, his breathing was still noticeably difficult. He was unable to tell the nurse himself what was wrong. His mother had to do this for him. With a differential diagnosis of influenza B, mother and son were discharged from hospital at around 5 p.m., some four hours later.
"Yes, Daddy, I'm scared"
In the following hours at home, Elia’s condition deteriorated rapidly. He began to spit up blood and was taken back to the hospital by ambulance that same evening. “How much longer can I go on? When can I go home again?” Elia asked angrily, while hectic activity broke out around him. His father Daniele tried to encourage him: “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Are you scared?” His last words in his life were: “Yes, Dad, I’m scared.” Shortly afterwards, he lost consciousness. As no Rega was available, he was transferred by ambulance from the local hospital to the University Children’s Hospital Zurich. There he had to be resuscitated immediately and connected to the heart-lung machine (ECMO).
"The sickest child in Switzerland"
Elia was in an induced coma in the intensive care unit. He received various infusions and was artificially ventilated. His body was bloated and his skin was covered in spots. It was almost unbearable for his parents to look at or touch him like this.
On Tuesday morning, the diagnosis came: septic shock, triggered by the flu and secondary bacterial pneumonia. “Ms. Epifanio, you currently have the sickest child in all of Switzerland,” the doctor said. “I wondered, how could that be? There are so many children who are seriously ill with cancer, for example—this must be a mistake!” says Jennifer Epifanio. The chance of survival at that point was around 50 percent. But the doctors made it clear that this prognosis was very uncertain, and that the only way to stop the sepsis and save his life was to amputate both legs and likely his hands as well. Finally, the next day, the parents received the devastating news: Elia would not survive the effects of septic shock. Even amputating his limbs would no longer improve his chances of survival. For this reason, the life-support machines were turned off on Friday, March 31, 2023—the weekend he was supposed to compete in his first race at the Swiss Karting Championship.
“Our beloved son and big brother flew to heaven forever,” says Jennifer Epifanio sadly. It is very difficult for the whole family to come to terms with the loss. “The images keep coming back and throw me off track every time.” The siblings also suffer from the loss of their big brother and strong fears of loss. The whole family is still receiving psychological support to help them come to terms with what has happened.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the body’s own immune response to an infection damages its own tissue and organs. Without early detection and treatment, it can progress rapidly, lead to organ failure and septic shock and be fatal. Sepsis is one of the most common causes of preventable mortality and morbidity worldwide.
"Our son was an athlete, he was healthy"
Jennifer Epifanio says: “It was only through Elia that we learned what sepsis is. Before that, we had never heard of it. Now I know what the symptoms of sepsis are.” And she warns: “Our son was an athlete. He was healthy and never had any serious health problems. No one is safe from sepsis and every minute counts to recognize it and treat it in time.”
To remember Elia, raise awareness of sepsis and collect donations for the University Children’s Hospital Zurich, the Epifanio family launched the “Trofeo Elia Epifanio” on the go-kart track in Wohlen on September 14, 2024, shortly after World Sepsis Day. The second race took place at the beginning of 2025. A video report of the second edition will be broadcast on October 5, 2025 in the program GRIP on RTL2.
