Sepsis is a condition where an existing infection worsens rapidly, putting your life in imminent danger. Without prompt medical intervention, sepsis can quickly progress to organ failure, tissue damage, and ultimately, death.

In fighting an infection, the immune system works to contain it to the initial site of entry, with the help of antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics. Swelling of tissue, or inflammation, is a crucial part of the body’s response to combat the infection and prevent its spread.

However, sepsis occurs when the body’s immune response to an infection becomes overly active and disrupted.

Where does sepsis come from?

Sepsis is a condition characterized by the rapid spread of infection throughout the body, resulting in systemic inflammation that can cause tissue damage and disrupt blood flow to various organs. In some cases, this can lead to septic shock, which can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure and even death. While the exact causes of sepsis remain unclear, research has shown that infections, particularly those of the lungs, urinary tract, abdomen, and pelvis, are common triggers.

Which patients are at risk for sepsis?

The UK Sepsis Trust has gathered statistics that indicate approximately 250,000 instances of sepsis in the United Kingdom each year, with at least 46,000 fatalities as a result of the condition.

Individuals who have recently been hospitalized due to an illness or injury are at risk of developing sepsis, a serious medical condition that can be life-threatening. If you have the following symptoms, for example:

Have you recently been hospitalised for a serious illness or surgery?

If you have recently undergone a long hospital stay or had a catheter inserted for urinary drainage, you may be at risk of developing sepsis, a potentially life-threatening medical condition. Immunocompromised individuals are particularly susceptible to sepsis, which is most common and dangerous in people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, as well as in feminine fetuses, those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or lung disease, and those diagnosed with cancer. The only way to prevent sepsis is to prevent infections from occurring in the first place. This entails aggressive treatment of the disease until all symptoms have disappeared.

Which symptoms do sepsis patients often experience?

Recognizing the indications and symptoms of sepsis is crucial, particularly if you or someone you care about has recently had surgery, an illness, or a hospital stay. Poor recovery from surgery or the worsening of an illness are both risk factors for sepsis.