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September is Sepsis Awareness Month—an important time to learn more about this life-threatening condition. Sepsis occurs when the body has a severe response to an infection, potentially causing major organ and tissue damage. Any infection in any person can lead to sepsis, which is considered a dangerous medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
In the U.S., sepsis takes a life every two minutes. Despite this threat, new national survey data released by MedStar Health shows that 81% of Americans do not know all of the signs and symptoms. Since eight in 10 sepsis cases start outside of a hospital setting, knowing thesigns and symptoms and getting immediate medical attention could save your life or the life of a loved one.
Common sepsis symptoms.
An infection can progress to sepsis within hours or days, depending on the type of infection and the patient’s level of vulnerability. Because sepsis can become severe so quickly, it’s best to identify the condition as early as possible. You can use the acronym S.E.P.S.I.S. to learn and remember these common signs and symptoms:
- Shivering, fever, or very cold
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Pale, discolored, clammy, or sweaty skin
- Sleepiness, confusion, or disorientation
- “I feel like I might die”
- Shortness of breath
It’s important to remember that the symptoms of sepsis overlap with common symptoms of other conditions and aren’t always obvious. If you have one of the signs or symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately.
Risk factors of sepsis.
Sepsis is often referred to as blood poisoning. While a blood infection can lead to sepsis, it is not the only potential cause of sepsis. Whether a patient has severe burns, pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, or appendicitis, any infection can put a person at risk for sepsis and organ failure. While anyone can develop sepsis, some people are at higher risk of developing the serious condition, including:
- Infants and the elderly
- People with chronic illnesses
- Those who recently had surgery or were hospitalized
- Those with a weakened or impaired immune system
Time is of the essence.
If sepsis is not identified or treated fast enough, it can be fatal. Patients who survive sepsis can suffer long-term effects including limb loss, overall muscle weakness, permanent organ damage, and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Treating sepsis in time.
Just as there’s no one way to identify sepsis, there’s no one way to treat it. The most important factor is source control, which means treating the cause of the infection. In addition, administering antibiotics and fluids early on increases the likelihood of a successful recovery.
Get ahead of sepsis.
Patients and family members also play a role in sepsis prevention. There are four ways to get ahead of sepsis:
- Practice good hygiene, washing hands often and ensuring wounds are covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
- Prevent infections by managing chronic conditions and getting recommended vaccines to prevent infections and lower sepsis risk.
- Know the signs and symptoms of sepsis.
- Act fast because sepsis is always a medical emergency.
By educating yourself, friends, and family on sepsis symptoms and causes, you’re more likely to seek emergency care at the first sign of sepsis, speed up treatment, and help save lives.
