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Sepsis may not sound life-threatening or scary, after all, what could a mere infection possibly do to cause any harm? Well, the truth is that it is actually deemed to be a medical emergency, and anyone who spots the signs should seek medical attention immediately.

Whether you caught an infection in hospital or elsewhere, it can lead to sepsis. But what exactly is this, and why is it so scary?

In this article, we’ll be exploring the definition of sepsis, some sepsis-related worldwide statistics, the common causes, who is likely to get it, and what to do if you spot the signs. So, for all this, read on…

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a blood infection, which is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It happens when an infection in the body triggers a chain reaction. These initial infections usually start in the:

• Lungs
• Urinary tract
• Skin
• Gastrointestinal tracts

The weakening of the immune system and infectious matter coursing through the body can lead to infections in the blood. This can lead to rapid tissue damage and organ failure and, without rapid treatment, can lead to death.

Sepsis can be acquired in any setting, whether in a community setting, at home, or in hospital. This is why knowing the signs of sepsis in yourself and others is paramount.

Some Sepsis-Related Statistics

According to the World Health Organisation, sepsis is a response to infection, and is often the final cause of death for many infectious diseases. A recent study in 2017 estimated that there were 48.9 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide. This accounts for around 20 percent of global deaths.

Half of these cases occurred among children, with approximately 85 percent of sepsis-related deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Infections in a healthcare environment are the leading cause of sepsis, leading to hundreds of millions of cases, and thousands of deaths each year.

Considering the fact that these infections are often antibiotic resistant and take affect rapidly, seeking medical attention early on is paramount.

Who Can Suffer from Sepsis?

Anybody can contract sepsis, but there are certain people who may be more likely to. These include:

• People with weakened immune systems
• Babies under one years old
• People older than 65 years old
• People who have recovered from sepsis in the past
• Anyone with a chronic medical condition, like kidney disease, cancer, or diabetes
• People who are severely ill
• People who are currently hospitalised

What Are the Main Causes of Sepsis?

Bacterial Infections

According to MedlinePlus, bacterial infections are the most common cause of sepsis. This is when infectious bacteria, which reproduces quickly in your body, gives off toxins which can damage tissue and make you ill. Some examples of bacteria that cause infections include

• Streptococcus
• Staphylococcus
• E. Coli.
• Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
• Gastroenteritis
• Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE)
• Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

To treat these, antibiotics are used, but the infections may spread to the blood leading to sepsis, which isn’t so simple to counteract.

Viral Infections

Viral infections can have similar effects on the body, although they are caused by completely different pathogens. They are germs that live inside living cells, requiring these living cells to replicate. Some examples of viruses you may have heard of include:

• Ebola
• HIV
• COVID-19
• Influenza
• HIV, which can lead to AIDS
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Herpes
• Rotavirus

Viral infections may be minor, but the truth is that any virus can lead to sepsis if the right conditions are in place.

Hospital Acquired Infections

Both bacterial and viral infections can be acquired in a number of ways, but many are caused during a patient’s hospital stay. For starters, surgeries of all kinds can lead to sepsis if the wound site becomes infected. It can also manifest elsewhere in the body, and is known as post-operative sepsis; a rare complication of surgery.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can occur if the patient is catheterized during and after surgery. What’s more, inactivity can cause pneumonia, which is not uncommon after surgery.

In order to avoid this, patient’s wound sites are monitored regularly for signs of redness, warmth, puss and fever. In addition, patients are encouraged to get up and about as quickly as possible, alongside partaking in deep breathing exercises to strengthen the airways.

How Has COVID-19 Caused Sepsis Rates to Increase?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, infections caught in hospital have increased. In fact, the first wave of the virus saw one in 10 covid sufferers catching the virus in hospital. It’s thought that this number increased as the virus took hold.

This has added a whole new layer to the problem of infections caught in hospitals. As we’ve seen, sepsis manifests itself through other infectious diseases, so it’s no wonder these rates have increased over the course of the past 18 months.

Know What to Look For

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency. If you or someone you know has a fever, high heart rate or blood pressure, is clammy, has trouble breathing, is confused or disoriented, or in extreme pain or discomfort, seek medical attention immediately.

Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.