Sepsis

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis (also known as blood poisoning) is the immune system's overreaction to an infection or injury. Normally our immune system fights infection – but sometimes, for reasons we don’t yet understand, it attacks our body’s own organs and tissues. If not treated immediately, sepsis can result in organ failure and death. 

It can happen as a response to any injury or infection, anywhere in the body. It can result from:

• A chest infection causing pneumonia

• A urine infection in the bladder

• A problem in the abdomen, such as a burst ulcer or a hole in the bowel

• An infected cut or bite

• A wound, trauma or surgery

• A leg ulcer or cellulitis

Sepsis can be caused by a large number of different germs. Yet with early diagnosis, it can be treated with antibiotics.

Statistics about Sepsis

England, according to the report in the 2018 Lancet Journal of Respiratory Medicine by Prof Sir Brian Jarman, had a sepsis mortality rate of 20.3%. With around 245,000 patients developing sepsis annually in the UK, extrapolating this figure would mean that 49,735 lives are lost each year.

To put this into perspective, Sepsis kills more than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined!

Bowel: 16,300 / Breast: 11,400 / Prostate: 11,700

Total = 39.400

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics-for-the-uk

What are the Symptoms of Sepsis?

Sepsis can initially look like flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection. There is no one sign, and symptoms present differently between adults and children.

There are three stages of sepsis: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock.

Although sepsis can be potentially life-threatening, it can range from being mild to severe. There is a higher rate of recovery in mild cases, and being able to recognise the signs and symptoms early greatly increases the patients chance of a better recovery.

Better Awareness can save lives

Symptoms of Sepsis in Adults

Symptoms of Sepsis in Babies and or Young Children

What is Maternal and Postpartum Sepsis?

Pregnant women and women who have recently given birth are at risk of developing maternal or postpartum sepsis. This can be caused by complications during pregnancy or birth, invasive procedures and infections (which sometimes can be unrelated to pregnancy such as urine infections).

Treatment of Sepsis

Sepsis

You must have two of the following symptoms before a doctor can diagnose sepsis:

• A fever above 38 degrees celsius or a temperature below 36 degrees celsius

• A heart rate higher than 90 beats per minute

• Breathing rate higher than 20 breaths per minute

• Probable or confirmed infection

Severe Sepsis

Severe sepsis occurs when there is organ failure. You must have one or more of the following signs to be diagnosed with severe sepsis.

• Patches of discoloured skin

• Decreased urination

• Changes in mental ability

• Low platelet (Blood clotting cells) count

• Problems breathing

• Abnormal heart functions

• Chills due to fall in body temperature

• Unconsciousness

• Extreme weakness

Septic Shock

Symptoms of septic shock include symptoms of severe sepsis, plus a very low blood pressure.

Don’t wait, especially if you seem to be deteriorating. If someone has one or more of the symptoms, call 999. If you are concerned about an infection call 111 or Contact your GP and just say “I am concerned about sepsis”.