Sepsis

Following on from my previous article about infection, it seems appropriate to discuss Sepsis.

At the most basic, and non-medical, level, Sepsis can simply be described as an out-of-control infection and it does not require a specific injury or wound for an infection to develop into Sepsis; simply thing of the times you may have had a chest or throat infection which has come from nowhere.

Sepsis happens when your body’s immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body’s own tissues and organs; it cannot be caught from another person. Sepsis is sometimes called Septicaemia or blood poisoning and often confused with other illnesses such as a cold or flu.

Sepsis, if not treated quickly, can be fatal

If you suspect that someone has Sepsis then they need urgent medical attention; this is not the time to make an appointment to see your GP or other health practitioner and you should be calling 999 or taking them immediately to A & E to be assessed.

Sepsis can be very hard to spot in especially in babies and young children, people with dementia, people with a learning disability and people who have difficulty in communicating.

Signs & symptoms of Sepsis in a baby or young child are:

• Blue, pale or grey/blotchy skin, loss of colour
• A rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it
• Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
• Making a grunting noise when breathing or their stomach sucking under their ribcage
• A weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
• Not responding like they normally do
• Not interested in feeding or normal activities
• Being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake

For adults and older children you may see:

• Blue, pale or grey/blotchy skin, loss of colour
• A rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it
• Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
• Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense

The signs and symptoms of Sepsis are very similar to those of Meningitis which will be the subject of next week’s article

For more information about Sepsis then go to the NHS website by clicking here or The Sepsis Trust by clicking here