Sepsis Care
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection and is a life-threatening medical emergency. In the U.S. each year, more than 1.7 million people had sepsis, and it’s the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. Many of these sepsis cases start outside of the hospital setting.
When can you get sepsis?
Sepsis can occur in anyone, at any time, from any type of infection and can affect any part of the body. It can occur even after a minor infection.
What causes sepsis?
Any type of infection that is anywhere in your body can cause sepsis, including infections of the skin, lungs (such as pneumonia), urinary tract, abdomen (such as appendicitis) or other part of the body. An infection occurs when germs enter a person’s body and multiply, causing illness and organ and tissue damage.
Who gets sepsis?
Anyone can get sepsis as a bad outcome from an infection, but the risk is higher in:
- People with weakened immune systems
- Babies and very young children
- Elderly people
- People with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, AIDS, cancer and kidney or liver disease
- People suffering from a severe burn or wound
Ask your doctor about your risk for getting sepsis.
Know the risks. Spot the signs. Act fast.
There is no single sign or symptom of sepsis. It is, rather, a combination of symptoms.
Symptoms can include any of the following:
S – Shivering, fever or very cold
E – Extreme pain or general discomfort (“worst ever”)
P – Pale or discolored skin
S – Sleepy, difficult to wake up or confused
I – “I feel like I might die”
S – Shortness of breath
While infections cannot always be prevented, there are some steps you can take to decrease your risk for infection.
- Get vaccinated against viruses
- Clean open wounds as directed by your healthcare provider
- Take antibiotics as prescribed by your healthcare provider
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly
For more information on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and sepsis prevention, view the below resources and educational links.
Sepsis Alliance
Sepsis Information Guide