SEPSIS claims five lives every hour in the UK – and more people die from it than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined.
But why? Unfortunately it can be very hard to spot, often masking as a minor illness before spiralling into a killer condition.
From sweaty palms to a red rash and even diarrhoea, sepsis can present in various ways.
That’s because it can affect many different areas of the body.
Dr Ron Daniels, founder and CEO of the UK Sepsis Trust, says: “Sepsis is a life-threatening condition arising when the body’s response to infection causes organ damage.”
This could be a urinary tract infection (UTI), pneumonia or even flu.
“It can lead to multi-organ failure and death, and for the majority of people, it develops in anywhere between 24 and 72 hours,” Dr Daniels adds.
“While 48,000 people die from it every single year, not enough is known about it.
“For context, about 34,000 people die of stroke every year, and about 200,000 people get heart attacks annually, and it’s more common as a reason for admission to hospital than heart attacks.”
It also kills more people annually in the UK than breast (11,400), bowel (16,300) and prostate (11,700) cancer combined (39,400).
Globally, one third of people who develop sepsis die, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
And many who do survive are left with life-changing effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, fatigue, organ dysfunction, and amputations.
Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.
On World Sepsis Day (September 13), we delve into the symptoms you need to know about. It might save your life.
1. Slurred speech or confusion
Up to a third of people who develop sepsis experience some sort of neurological issue, such as confusion or even anger, studies suggest.
Experts don’t know exactly why, but it’s believed to be the result of inflammation.
This confusion can also appear alongside slurred speech, mumbling or generally not making much sense, the NHS says.
2. Extreme shivering
Extreme shivering, due to a very high or very low body temperature is also common.
3. Muscle pain
Some people with sepsis experience extreme pain or discomfort.
This can be anywhere in the body, but often appears around a cut or wound, which could be the site of the infection.
Low blood pressure could be a sign of sepsis[/caption]
4. Rapid breathing
According to the NHS, hyperventilation (rapid breathing) or shortness of breath is a common sepsis symptom in older children and adults.
If you are finding it hard to breathe, it’s vital to call 999 immediately.
5. Clammy skin
Clammy skin, which can be cool, moist and pale, is another sign of sepsis.
The skin can get cold and clammy whenever your body temperature rises from hot weather, exercise, or a fever, the NHS says.
It might also be mottled or discoloured, appearing blue.
6. Rapid heart rate
A rapid heart rate, known medically as tachycardia, is a common and significant early sign of sepsis.
A normal resting heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm).
Tachycardia refers to a heart rate that is consistently above 100bpm at rest.
Sepsis – the facts
- There are 47 to 50million cases of sepsis every year worldwide
- At least 11million people die from sepsis annually
- One in five deaths globally is associated with sepsis
- As many as 40 per cent of cases are in children under the age of five
- Sepsis is the number one cause of death in hospitals
- It is also the most common reason for hospital admission
- Up to 50 per cent of all sepsis survivors suffer from long-term physical or psychological effects
Source: Stop Sepsis Save Lives
7. Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure is a reading of less than 90/60mmHg.
You may not be able to test this yourself, but you should get your levels checked at your local pharmacy or GP if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, sick, confused or weak, have blurred vision or keep fainting.
8. Fatigue
“Being sleepier than normal or being hard to wake up is another sign of sepsis,” the NHS says.
You might also feel generally “very poorly” or simply that there is something really wrong with your body.
9. Diarrhoea
Some severe tummy bugs can trigger sepsis.
It happens when C. difficile, which causes bowel infections, moves from the gut and into the bloodstream, Sepsis Alliance explains.
A common symptom of this is moderate-to-severe diarrhoea alongside a high temperature and feeling sick.
This sort of bug is usually treated with antibiotics that are known to kill the bacteria.
Most people get a Clostridium difficile infection while taking antibiotics for another reason.
You can also catch it from other people.
10. A rash
Also look out for a rash that does not go away when you roll a glass over it.
A small area of skin might be covered in spots or patches, or it could cover a larger area.
11. Nausea and vomiting
Particularly in children and babies, nausea and vomiting is another red flag.
Sick may be black, green or bloody.
They may also have no interest in feeding, or not drink anything for more than eight hours.
‘My dad woke up almost comatose and died weeks later’
John Roberts, from Taunton, Somerset, was 85 when he died in June 2018 from sepsis.
His daughter Gayle, 55, from Plymouth, says: “Dad had leukaemia but was being successfully treated for it.
“He was very fit and active – he walked loads and did lots of gardening too.
“One morning on a Sunday in April 2018 though, he woke up really poorly – almost comatose.
“We called an ambulance and he was admitted to hospital.
“After a few tests, they told us that he had sepsis. I didn’t even know what sepsis was at that point. I’d never even heard of it.”
He was successfully treated with antibiotics and sent home, but over the next eight weeks he was admitted back into hospital three times with sepsis again.
“His final admission was in June and after a couple of days, the consultants told us there was nothing else they could do for him and he had around 24 hours left to live,” Gayle says.
“I was utterly devastated and in complete shock.
“I stayed with him while they withdrew all his treatment and he passed away peacefully the next day at lunchtime.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him and think about him.
“He was so fit and well and healthy and he was doing so well with his leukaemia treatment.
“I learned everything I could about sepsis after I lost him.
“I give money every month to the Sepsis Trust and I speak about it as often as I can.
“Dad hadn’t been unwell before we called him an ambulance but I’d advise people not to be fobbed off by medical professionals or think they’ll get better with a couple of paracetamol.
“It’s always better to be safe than sorry so if you’re unwell or wake up really poorly, please seek help.”
SEPTIC SHOCK
In some cases, symptoms of more severe sepsis or septic shock (when your blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level) develop.
This causes the sympathetic nervous system (your “fight or flight” response) to send a signal to the body to produce sweat.
Other symptoms of septic shock are:
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- Fast heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Extreme muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rash (cluster of tiny blood spots)
- Less urine production than normal
- Loss of consciousness
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, you should call 999.
A person’s chances of surviving sepsis are highly dependent on their getting medical intensive care as soon as possible.
The longer it takes to receive medical care, the more likely it is that a patient will die.
This is especially important for newborns, the elderly and those who are pregnant, people with long-term health conditions (such as diabetes or kidney failure).
Anyone with a lowered immune system (like those with HIV or AIDS or receiving chemotherapy), are also at higher risk.
Thankfully, once you receive medical help, there are treatments available.
These include oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, medication, antibiotics and surgery.
