World Sepsis Day is observed on the 13th of September every year to create awareness about sepsis, its causes, symptoms, and prevention.
Sepsis claims millions of lives around the globe every year so it is evident that everyone should know about it. Keep reading to know about what exactly sepsis is and its 10 major symptoms you need to be cautious of.
Table of Contents
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused due to the body’s adverse response to an infection.
Although our immune system is designed to protect the body against infections, in extreme cases, it may actually cause harm to the body.
In sepsis, the immune system, in response to an infection, releases chemicals that cause inflammation throughout the body resulting in damage to tissues and organs.
Infections that may lead to sepsis include:
- Pneumonia
- Abdominal Infections
- Kidney Infections
- Malaria
- Dengue fever
- Yellow fever
- Ebola
- Meningitis
- Skin and wound infections
Sepsis Facts
Here are some sepsis facts according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Almost 48 million cases of sepsis were reported in 2017
- In 2017, sepsis caused 11 million deaths worldwide. This means every 2.8 seconds someone dies from sepsis!
- In 2017 almost 50% of all sepsis cases worldwide were reported in children
- 20 million cases and 2.9 million deaths due to sepsis were reported in children under 5 years in 2017
Sepsis Symptoms
Here are the 10 major symptoms of sepsis:
- Rapid heart beat
- Hypothermia
- Fever
- Sweating
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Disoclored skin
- Decreased urination
What Are the 3 Stages of Sepsis?
Sepsis happens in three stages with varying symptoms. The three stages of sepsis are:
1. Sepsis
In the introductory phase of sepsis, one may have a fever. The body temperature can either be very high or very low. Other symptoms include a rapid heart rate, heavy breathing, and a known infection.
2. Severe Sepsis
In this stage, the condition of the patient worsens. It is the stage characterized by organ failure. The patient may experience symptoms such as decreased urination, fatigue, chills, confusion, breathing difficulties, and unconsciousness.
3. Septic Shock
This is the third and most serious stage of sepsis. Patients in this stage may experience a drop in blood pressure accompanied by the symptoms of severe sepsis. The mortality rate of septic shock is around 40%
Conclusion
Sepsis can be a life-threatening condition but deaths can be prevented if early identification is made and the patient receives the necessary treatment in time.
If someone goes into septic shock, the chances of recovery are low. This is why it is important to first protect oneself from the infections that lead to sepsis and secondly to be aware of its symptoms and get treatment before it’s too late.
