What is Sepsis?
Emma Hammett BEM RGN
Author, press spokesperson and expert on health and first aid. Provider of award-winning, tailored practical and online first aid training.
Sepsis is responsible for 48,000 deaths in the UK each year. A distressing 245,000 people contract the condition, which can have life-changing implications. In fact, many of the symptoms of sepsis are unknown by most people – they range from fatigue and poor concentration through to PTSD , amputation and organ damage.
Caught early, the outcome from sepsis is good. It is the delay in treatment that can lead to the spiralling of the condition resulting in multi-organ failure and potential death. The Sepsis Trust claims that improved national awareness could save as many as 14,000 lives a year.
Sadly, the early symptoms are often easy to miss and often there is a delay in Emergency Services, GPs and hospital staff recognising the condition. This delay has major implications. Often the window of opportunity when antibiotics can treat the sepsis is missed.
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What is Sepsis?
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Sepsis is a common and potentially life-threatening condition where the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection. It results in widespread inflammation, swelling and blood clots. This leads the body to go into septic shock, characterised by a dramatic decrease in blood pressure interrupting the blood supply to vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys. Above all, sepsis needs to be treated quickly and aggressively in hospital. Sadly, it is often responsible for amputations, brain damage and deaths. It is vitally important to recognise symptoms early and treat promptly.
As of January 2020, sepsis causes one in five deaths around the world. The researchers at the University of Washington estimate that 11 million people a year are dying from sepsis – more than are killed by cancer. Most cases were in poor and middle income countries, but even wealthier nations are dealing with sepsis. Even in the UK, sepsis is a challenge. The death rate is higher than in countries such as Spain, France and Canada. In addition, there are around 48,000 deaths from sepsis in the UK each year, the report shows. One of the most common ways of developing Sepsis is following an operation or injury where the wound becomes infected, or as a secondary infection following an illness such as Meningitis, a chest infection or septic throat. Inspiring the film starfish , a true story about sepsis.
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What has septicaemia got to do with it?
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Sepsis is sometimes referred to as septicaemia or blood poisoning. However, septicaemia is an old, now defunct term which implied there was something we could measure in the blood which indicated sepsis – this is not the case. Therefore, Sepsis is the preferred and more accurate term for the condition.
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What causes sepsis?
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An infection in any part of the body can trigger sepsis. The most common causes of sepsis are the following;
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Common bacteria causes most cases and don’t normally induce illness. However, trauma is responsible for 2-3% of reported cases.
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Nationally, what needs improvement?
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The Royal College of Nursing held a conference in May 2019 in which they stressed the need for an urgent dissemination of a national Paediatric Early Warning Score to improve identification of the signs of sepsis in children. Currently, between 1000 and 4000 children die each year from the condition. The NHS uses an adult symptoms checklist already, however trusts use individual systems for children. These result in an inconsistent and unreliable approach.
The Sepsis Trust claim that patients presenting early being around?half as likely to die than those presenting late. This emphasises the importance of awareness.
A poll by the trust found that 1 in 3 people in the UK wouldn’t treat sepsis as a medical emergency even though it kills 5 people every hour in the UK.
The condition deteriorates in children far quicker. If you are in a childcaring position, it is particularly important to be fully informed of the signs and symptoms.
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Possible Signs and Symptoms of Sepsis
The UK Sepsis Trust has come up with a handy way of remembering the potential signs of sepsis in adults:
S – Slurred speech or confusion
E – extreme shivering or muscle pain
P – passing no urine
S – severe breathlessness
I – it feels like you’re going to die
S – skin mottled or discoloured
Unfortunately, early Sepsis can be a difficult condition to recognise and often takes a while to diagnose. Sepsis can occur in any age group however small children deteriorate particularly quickly. The Sepsis Trust has issued the guidance below to help parents and child carers quickly recognise the signs and symptoms in children.
Sepsis can be hard to recognise at first as early symptoms are similar to flu and other common illnesses. In addition, sepsis often follows on from Meningitis and Septicaemia (blood poisoning). Many of the symptoms are similar and all these conditions are extremely serious.
Certainly never wait for a rash!
When to go to get medical help:
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You should get medical help if they are seriously unwell and have any of the above symptoms
If you are sent home from the hospital or GP Surgery and the casualty is getting worse return again. Most importantly, trust your instincts and tell them when you are worried!
About us?
Written by Emma Hammett
First Aid for Life and Online First Aid provide award-winning first aid training tailored to your needs. Please visit our site and learn more about our practical and online courses. It is vital to keep your skills current and refreshed. We are currently providing essential training for individuals and groups across the UK. In addition, we have a great range of online courses. These are ideal as refreshers for regulated qualifications or as Appointed Person qualifications.
You can attend a fully regulated Practical or Online First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Please visit?https://firstaidforlife.org.uk ?or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.
First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals. They will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours.
First Aid for life and Online First Aid provide this information for guidance only. It is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. We are not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken on this information.