SEPSIS AWARENESS

DO YOU KNOW THAT “SEPTEMBER” IS THE MONTH OF SEPSIS AWARENESS?

Yes! September has been officially made as “SEPSIS AWARENESS MONTH” by Sepsis Alliance (a non-profit organization dedicated for raising awareness of sepsis in public) in the year 2011 and ‘SEPTEMBER-13TH’ as “WORLD SEPSIS DAY” in 2012.

It is said that, every year, nearly 49 million people get affected with sepsis worldwide and is the most common killer of more than 3.4 million children lives each year. Yet, most people around the world are unaware of the term “SEPSIS”.

WHAT IS SEPSIS?

Sepsis is a medical emergency. It occurs due to body’s overreactive and extreme response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, amputations and death. Sepsis is sometimes referred to as “Blood poisoning” or “Septicaemia”. 

WHAT CAUSES SEPSIS?

Sepsis is caused by an Infection, which can be viral, bacterial, or fungal, or caused by a parasite.

Some common infections that can lead to Sepsis include:

• UTI’s

• Influenza

• MRSA

• Strep Throat

• Pneumonia

• Meningitis 

WHO IS AT RISK?

Anyone with an infection can develop Sepsis, but some are more at risk than others.

• Pregnant woman

• Neonates/children

• The Elderly

• The Immunosuppressed

• Patients with Chronic Diseases

• Hospitalized patients

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

S – Shiver, fever or very cold

E – Extreme pain or general discomfort

P – Pale or discoloured skin

S – Sleepy, difficult to get up in the morning, confusion

I – “I feel like I might die”

S – Shortness of breath

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

Sepsis can be “Difficult to Diagnose” because it occurs quickly and can be confused with other conditions. 

Doctors may order for several tests to identify the underlaying infection.

- Blood tests for

• Evidence of infection

• Clotting problems

• Abnormal liver and kidney function

• Electrolyte imbalance

- Other tests

• Complete urine evaluation (CUE)

• Wound secretions

• Respiratory secretions

- Imaging tests

• X-rays

• Ultrasound

• Computerized tomography (CT)

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

 

HOW IS SEPSIS TREATED?

The sooner the patient is diagnosed and treated, the better the person’s chance of survival.

Treatment may depend on the diagnosis and test(s) results. It may include:

- Administration of antibiotics and IV fluids

- Medications to improve patient’s blood pressure

- Surgery may be required in some cases, in order to remove infection

- Some patients may develop drastic decline in blood pressure and go into Septic shock, which further may lead to organ failure or even death. In such cases, septic shock management is needed.

SEPTIC SHOCK MANAGEMENT

HOW CAN SEPSIS BE PREVENTED?

- Prevention of Infection, can also prevent Sepsis.

SPREAD  AWARENESS ON SEPSIS AND SAVE LIVES

 

REFERENCE:

1. Sepsis Alliance

2. Sepsis Awareness Month | Sepsis Alliance

3. September is Sepsis Awareness Month - Hunterdon Healthcare

4. Sepsis Awareness Month: Fewer than Half of Americans Have Heard of this Devastating Illness | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC

D. Harika Devi

Student at Clinosol

Reference ID: 005/0121