Sepsis is serious – know the signs

With more than 11 million lives lost globally each year, Sepsis is always a medical emergency, which is why we’re supporting World Sepsis Day on 13 September to raise awareness of the signs of Sepsis and how to prevent tragedy.

In the UK, around 245,000 people get sepsis every year, and nearly 48,000 lives are lost. That’s more than from breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined. It’s often missed as symptoms can be mistaken for flu or another minor illness.

Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care, said: “Sepsis often strikes without warning and can escalate in hours. Here in Brighton & Hove, raising awareness is a matter of urgency. With pockets of deprivation and an ageing population, we must ensure local residents know the signs and act fast - so no one loses a loved one to something we can prevent.”

‘The silent killer’

Sepsis is sometimes called “the silent killer.” It happens when the body reacts extremely badly to an infection. Instead of just fighting the germs, the immune system goes into overdrive and starts damaging the body’s own tissues and organs.

It can come from everyday infections - like a chest infection, urinary tract infection, or even a cut that gets infected. Sepsis can affect anyone whether you’re young or old, healthy or already unwell.

Preventing infection

If sepsis is spotted quickly and treated with antibiotics and fluids, early treatment saves lives and most people recover. Preventing infection - by keeping up to date with your vaccines (like flu and pneumonia) and maintaining good personal hygiene - is the first line of defence.

Could it be Sepsis?

Sepsis can develop very quickly so it’s important to ask, ‘could it be Sepsis?’ If you or someone you’re caring for has an infection and starts to feel very unwell, call 999 or go to A&E.

In adults, watch for:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering, muscle pain, or fever
• Passing little or no urine
• Severe breathlessness
• Skin that feels mottled, bluish, or very cold

In children, babies, and young people, look for:

• Fast breathing or struggling to breathe
• Not feeding or eating
• No wet nappies for 12 hours
• Being unusually sleepy, hard to wake, confused or vomiting repeatedly
• A rash that doesn’t fade when you press it

If you or another adult develop any of these signs, it is important to seek urgent medical attention.  Call 111 or contact your GP if you are worried about an infection.