Raising Awareness of Sepsis by Natalie McCulloch “Knowledge itself is power” Sir Francis Bacon famously proclaimed. Centuries later, this seems pertinent when considering ‘The UK Sepsis Trust” mission to equip more people with the ‘know how’ to help them gain the power to avoid preventable deaths! Did you know that every hour in the UK 5 people die with Sepsis? That amounts to at least 48,000 people a year in the UK alone. Just these facts alone suggest there’s really no better time to get SEPSIS SAVVY!
• Have a ‘fit’ or convulsion, or look mottled, bluish, or pale
So what is Sepsis?
• Have a rash that does not fade when you press it
Sepsis (also known as blood poisoning) is a potentially lifethreatening condition, triggered by the immune system’s overreaction to an infection or injury. Normally our immune system fights infection – but sometimes, for reasons we don’t yet understand, it attacks our body’s own organs and tissues.
• If under 5 years old they may not be feeding, vomiting repeatedly or had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours
Some important points to consider are: • If not treated immediately, sepsis can result in organ failure and death. • It can be difficult to spot but knowing the ‘tell-tale’ signs could well save your life or others. • It can affect anyone, regardless of age or state of health. • For many patients, if sepsis is caught early, it can be easy to treat. With early diagnosis, thousands more lives a year in the UK alone, could be saved. So, once again, it comes down to knowledge is power! What are some of the key signs of Sepsis? In adults: • It may feel like you have flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection at first. • Early symptoms include fever, chills and shivering, a fast heartbeat and quick breathing. • Symptoms of sepsis or septic shock include feeling dizzy or faint, confusion or disorientation, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea and cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin. In children: • They may be breathing very fast
40 CARDIFF TIMES
If you can relate to these symptoms – don’t wait! Especially if they seem to be deteriorating. If someone has one or more of the sepsis symptoms, call 999. If you’re concerned about an infection, call 111. Or contact your GP and just ask: Could it be sepsis? This is just a brief introduction to Sepsis, but there is so much more knowledge to be gained and you have the power to do that thanks to the help of organisations such as The Sepsis Trust UK. Their mission is to provide clear information, support to cope with diagnosis, supportive empathetic ears, information on treatment options and much much more. But all of this wouldn’t be possible without support from volunteers, fundraisers and the public – so it really is a matter of ‘manpower’ when it comes to the battle with Sepsis. To celebrate the 10th birthday of ‘The UK Sepsis Trust’, they have launched the ‘Power up’ campaign to help raise awareness, offer support to those affected and help prevent avoidable deaths.
