According to the UK Sepsis Trust, around 250,000 cases of sepsis occur in the UK each year. Approximately 48,000 will die as a result of sepsis. Around 40% of survivors will have one or more physical or mental side effects. Sepsis kills more patients per year than bowel, breast or prostate cancer.
As we observe World Sepsis Day, it’s crucial to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of this life-threatening condition.
Read on to learn who is most likely to be affected by sepsis, what symptoms to look out for and how to help someone who you suspect may have it.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs, UK Sepsis Trust 2022.
How do you get sepsis?
Sepsis happens when your body’s response to an infection sends your immune system into overdrive. This could include a urine infection in the bladder, an infected cut or animal bite, a surgical wound, a severe chest infection such as pneumonia, Covid-19 etc, meningitis, or abdominal sepsis caused by a burst appendix, perforated bowel, MRSA or C. diff.
Is sepsis serious?
Sepsis is an incredibly serious, life-threatening condition.
As your immune system begins to trigger inflammation, your blood pressure drops, reducing the blood supply and oxygen to your body’s tissues and vital organs. This can lead to multiple organ failure, especially if not recognised early and treated promptly.
It can also lead to septic shock, which causes profound circulatory, cellular and metabolic deterioration and is associated with a greater risk of mortality.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
The symptoms of sepsis in adults can vary and may be mistaken for flu, gastroenteritis, or a chest infection. Signs of sepsis include:
S Slurred speech or new confusion
E Extreme shivering or muscle pain
P Passing no urine (in a day)
S Severe breathlessness
I It feels like you are going to die
S Skin is mottled, discoloured or very pale
Other symptoms may include:
- A fever, chills, or shivering
- A rash that doesn’t fade if you roll a glass over it - sometimes referred to as sepsis spots
- A rapid heartbeat and fast breathing
- Feeling dizzy, confused, and disoriented
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting
Is sepsis painful?
Sepsis can be extremely painful. The severity and location of pain may differ from patient to patient depending on their condition and the initial cause of sepsis.
Those who overcome sepsis often describe having felt excruciating discomfort during their illness.
Who is most likely to get sepsis?
Sepsis can affect anyone, regardless of age or health. However, some people are more likely than others to develop sepsis after injury or infection such as:
- Children under one year of age
- People aged over 75 years
- People with diabetes
- People with a lowered immune system, such as organ recipients or those receiving cancer treatment
- Someone who has recently had surgery
- Someone who is pregnant or has recently given birth
- Someone who has an indwelling medical device in their bodies such as a catheter, or a long term intravenous line
What should I do if I suspect someone has sepsis?
If you notice that you or someone you know has one or more of the symptoms of sepsis, you should call 999 or visit your local A&E immediately. It can quickly turn into septic shock without treatment. This is a life-threatening condition.
How can I avoid developing sepsis?
It’s not always possible to prevent sepsis; however, there are some things you can do to avoid an infection that could lead to you developing sepsis:
- Ensure you’ve been fully vaccinated, especially if you’re pregnant or over 75
- Wash your hands thoroughly, especially after using the toilet and before eating
- Clean any wounds
- Follow your clinician’s instructions if they’ve prescribed antibiotics – and ensure you always finish the full course, even when you start feeling better
Can sepsis be cured?
As it is a bodily reaction to infection rather than the infection itself, technically, there are no cures for sepsis. Instead, doctors treat the underlying condition that has triggered sepsis.
If sepsis is spotted, diagnosed, and treated early, most make a full recovery over time. Patients can still survive when treatment isn’t quite as prompt, but damage to organs may be irreversible, resulting in on-going complications.
How do you treat sepsis?
Sepsis is treated with antibiotics, so hospital staff must be advised if you have an allergy to antibiotics. You may also have other tests or treatment and you may need to stay in hospital.
How long does it take to recover from sepsis?
Most people make a full recovery from sepsis; however, it can take a long time to recover, often six months to a year.
Sepsis recovery times in elderly patients may be longer than in younger patients, due to weaker immune systems and underlying health conditions.
Some people may continue to have symptoms even after they leave hospital. This is known as post-sepsis syndrome and could include:
- Feeling very tired or weak
- Difficulty sleeping
Mood changes, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Cognitive issues, such as problems with memory A higher likelihood of getting ill. It’s important that you take time to recover from sepsis. There are some things you can do to lessen the long-term effects, such as gentle exercise and getting help with your sleeping habits.
Your GP will be able to advise you on how to manage physical and emotional symptoms and support is also available from charities such as The UK Sepsis Trust. Find out more about our Private GP services at Benenden Hospital.
Infection control at Benenden Hospital
At our CQC rated Outstanding hospital, the health and wellbeing of everyone is our priority, whether you’re a patient, a visitor or a member of our team.
Reducing the risk of infection has always been, and remains, a priority for us, and we’ve had no cases of hospital acquired infections such as MRSA or Clostridium Difficile (C.diff) as far as our records go back.
Whilst not all infections are preventable, a proportion of healthcare-associated infections are. With that in mind, infection prevention and control and basic hygiene are at the heart of good management and clinical practice and therefore vitally important to the work we do at Benenden Hospital.
We’re proud of our infection control record. Whether you're an inpatient for surgery or attending an outpatient appointment, we'll keep you safe during your time at our calming, spacious hospital. Find out about the measures we’ve put in place so that you can relax during your time with us.
Published on 13 September 2024