September is Sepsis Awareness Month.
I first heard of Sepsis back in 1983 …but I didn’t hear about it again until about 10 years ago. Back in 1983, a girl who was in the year above me at school contracted Sepsis, but I thought there must have been a mistake – surely, they meant Septicaemia? It was never clarified.
A decade ago, the NHS drew attention to the risks of Sepsis after the death of a child that could have been prevented, had there been more awareness of the condition. Sepsis, unfortunately, carries the same symptoms as numerous other conditions. It can manifest like ‘flu or a chest infection, making it very hard to spot.
Sepsis is, in fact, a life-threatening condition which happens when your system overreacts to an infection. It begins to damage the body’s tissues and organs. You cannot catch Sepsis from another person – it is not contagious.
Anyone with an infection can get Sepsis. The NHS website advises the following:
It’s not always possible to prevent sepsis. There are things you can do to help prevent infections that can lead to sepsis:
- Keep up with vaccinations
- Clean and care for any wounds
- Take antibiotics correctly – follow the instructions
- Wash your hands regularly
The website goes on to say:
DO NOT ignore the symptoms of sepsis
Find your nearest A&E or call 999 if anyone has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it (like meningitis)
- Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- feeling very unwell or like there’s something seriously wrong
- Not peeing all day (for adults and older children) or in the last 12 hours (for babies and young children)
- Experience swelling or pain around a cut or wound
- Have a very high or low temperature, feel hot or cold to the touch, or are shivering
In babies and young children, you might ALSO see the following symptoms:
- A weak, high-pitched cry that is not like their normal cry
- Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- Being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
- Keep vomiting and cannot keep any food or milk down
For urgent advice, call 111. Do not worry if you’re not sure if it’s sepsis – it’s still best to call 111. They can tell you what to do, arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor, or call you an ambulance.
[https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis – accessed 8th August 2024]
