You’ve probably heard about sepsis, but do you know what it is and the symptoms?
Sepsis is a condition that occurs when the body damages its own tissue and organs in response to an infection.
It can lead to shock, organ failure and death, especially if not recognised and treated in time.
According to Sepsis Australia (SA), sepsis is the leading cause of death from infection around the world and contributes or causes between a third and half of all deaths in US hospitals.
In Australia, about 55,000 people develop sepsis each year and more than 8000 die of sepsis-related complications.
It’s difficult to predict, diagnose and treat, and patients who have developed sepsis face complications, longer treatment, higher healthcare costs and death.
Symptoms to look out for
So what are the symptoms? They include:
- rapid breathing
- rapid heart rate
- confusion, slurred speech or disorientation
- fever or shivering
- muscle pain
- not passing urine
- discoloured skin.
Discoloured skin may be a rash, blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin. Roll a glass over the affected area, and if it doesn’t fade it may well be sepsis.
During a sepsis crisis, the clotting mechanism in the body tends to work overtime. Due to oxygen and nutrients not being able to reach tissue throughout the body, cells can begin to die. As a result, the skin may begin to look mottled or blotchy and may appear blueish. Furthermore, areas of dead skin may turn black (limbs may need to be amputated if the sepsis progresses).
Sepsis can strike more quickly in children and infants, and their symptoms are slightly different.
Seek urgent medical care if a child has:
- convulsions or fits
- rapid breathing
- discoloured skin, very pale or bluish
- a rash that doesn’t fade when you press it
- fever OR very low temperature
- not passing urine (or no wet nappy) for several hours
- vomiting repeatedly
- not feeding.
On their own, these symptoms can be harmless enough, but if you are suffering from two or more of these symptoms and they get progressively worse, you should get immediate medical treatment.
Seek immediate treatment
If you are worried you or someone you know is suffering from sepsis, early medical treatment is vital. If you can visit your nearest emergency department or call 000.
According to Sepsis Australia, the risk of dying from sepsis increases by 8 per cent with each hour that passes before treatment begins.
This was tragically illustrated by the death of Broken Hill teenager Alex Braes who died after repeatedly being sent home from the Broken Hill Hospital. Mr Braes’ vital observations were only taken 30 hours after he first presented to the hospital.
Sepsis is often caused by an infection in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, abdomen or other part of the body.
It can occur in everyday life or after treatment in hospital, including surgery. It can be triggered by many different microbes including bacteria, fungi and viruses, but bacteria are the most common cause.
The elderly, infants and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk. It can also occur in people suffering from burns, diabetes, cancer, AIDS and kidney and liver disease.
While sepsis is treatable, some people will suffer ongoing medical issues, including permanent organ damage.
Some people may even require amputation of fingers, toes and limbs if they develop gangrene following severe septic shock.
Long-term damage
Long-term general health may also be compromised in a condition called Post Sepsis Syndrome (PSS). It particularly affects older people.
Symptoms include:
- Sleep disturbance including insomnia
- Experiencing nightmares, hallucinations, flashbacks and panic attacks
- Muscle and joint pains which can be severe and disabling
- Extreme tiredness and fatigue
- Inability to concentrate
- Impaired mental (cognitive) functioning
- Loss of confidence and self-belief.
Did you know the symptoms of sepsis? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?
Also read: Pain index shows older Aussies prefer to suffer in silence
It’s not only “ordinary” people who have to learn about, sepsis, it’s hospital staff. To cut a long story short, my husband had been warned by his surgeon that a particular procedure could lead to a generalized infection. It did. In the very early hours of the morning we found ourselves at a Central Coast hospital who told us that we would just have to wait until a doctor was available at 08:00. So eventually, we got in the car, drove to Sydney to a private hospital where my husband was put into a bed, IV line inserted, for triple antibiotic treatment for 9 days. He lived. He would not have survived had we waited at the other hospital. He has had some serious health problems since then but has managed to reach age 83! My written complaint to the NSW Central Coast hospital was brushed off.