By Gina Bailey, BSN, RN
Infection Preventionist, Quality/Infection Control, Blanchard Valley Health System

Sepsis is a public health crisis unfamiliar to many people, even though 1.7 million are diagnosed every year, and sepsis is the number one cause of death in U.S. hospitals. Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming response to infection. It leads to over 350,000 adult deaths and almost 7,000 pediatric deaths annually. Sepsis is the number one cost of hospitalization and skilled nursing care at an estimated $62 billion annually. 

Sepsis is caused when bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter your body, and the body responds improperly to the infection, causing the organs to work poorly. Types of infections that can cause sepsis include infections of the skin, lungs (such as pneumonia), urinary tract, abdomen (such as appendicitis), or other parts of the body. As sepsis worsens, vital organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, don't get as much blood as they should. Sepsis may cause your blood to clot, resulting in small clots or burst blood vessels that may damage or destroy tissues.

Anyone can get an infection that may cause sepsis, but some factors increase this risk. Those most at risk include people over the age of 65, infants, those being treated for cancer or those with a lower immune response, people with chronic diseases (such as diabetes or chronic lung diseases), those who have spent a long period in the hospital or intensive care unit, and anyone who has had an antibiotic in the last 90 days. 

Most people recover from mild sepsis, but the mortality rate for septic shock is about 40 percent. Sepsis is a medical emergency and requires early detection and treatment. According to the Sepsis Alliance, for every hour treatment is delayed, the risk of death increases by as much as eight percent. It is important to learn the signs of sepsis and remember it is all about remembering the acronym TIME. T = temperature; a person’s temperature may be either high or low, or they may be shivering or sweating for no clear reason. I = infection: a person may have symptoms of infection like a cough, non-healing sores, or pain when urinating. M = mental decline; a person may be confused, sleepy, or difficult to arouse. E = extremely ill; a person may be experiencing severe pain, discomfort, low blood pressure, fast heart rate, or shortness of breath.

Many people who survive sepsis recover completely, and their lives return to normal. However, some have long-term problems, including post-sepsis syndrome. Post-sepsis syndrome is a group of problems that some people with severe sepsis experience, including insomnia, nightmares, vivid hallucinations, panic attacks, chronic muscle and joint pains, decreased mental abilities, kidney failure, respiratory problems, and amputations. 

If you would like to learn more about sepsis or post-sepsis syndrome, please visit the Sepsis Alliance at www.sepsis.org or watch the Alliance Founder on YouTube. 

If you or a loved one thinks they have sepsis, please seek care at the nearest emergency department.