Each year, World Sepsis Day is held on September 13, to raise awareness of the serious condition.
Information provided by worldsepsisday.org

WHAT IS SEPSIS?

Sepsis arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It may lead to shock, multi-organ failure, and death – especially if not recognized early and treated promptly.

SEPSIS – A GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS

Sepsis affects 27 to 30 million people every year, with 7 to 9 million people dying – one death every 3.5 seconds.
Many surviving patients suffer from the consequences of sepsis for the rest of their lives.

SEPSIS – COMMON CAUSES

Most types of microorganisms can cause sepsis, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. However, it may also be caused by infections with seasonal influenza viruses, dengue viruses, and highly transmissible pathogens of public health concern; such as avian and swine influenza viruses, Ebola, and yellow fever viruses.
Sepsis often presents as the clinical deterioration of common and preventable infections such as those of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract, or of wounds and skin. Sepsis is frequently under-diagnosed at an early stage – when it still is potentially reversible.

SEPSIS – SYMPTOMS

The following symptoms might indicate sepsis:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever
• Passing no urine all day
• Severe breathlessness
• It feels like you’re going to die
• Skin mottled or discolored

If you have a confirmed or suspected infection and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your local hospital or physician immediately.

SEPSIS – RISK GROUPS

Everybody can get sepsis, no matter how healthy or how good in shape you are, or where you live. Certain people are at an even higher risk. Those include:

• Children under 1
• Adults over 60
• People with no spleen
• People with chronic diseases, e.g. lung, liver, heart
• People with weakened immune systems, e.g. AIDS, Diabetes

PREVENT SEPSIS

Sepsis is the number one cause of preventable death worldwide. The best way to prevent sepsis is to prevent infection in the first place, which can be done by:

• Vaccination
• Clean water
• Hand hygiene
• Prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)
• Safe childbirth
• Awareness

POST-SEPSIS SYMPTOMS (PSS)

Sepsis does not end at hospital discharge. Many sepsis survivors suffer from the consequences of sepsis for the rest of their lives. These can include:

• Sadness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Muscle weakness
• Clouded thinking
• Difficulty sleeping
• Poor Memory
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Fatigue
• Anxiety