Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body releases chemicals to fight an infection.
These chemicals damage the body’s own tissues and organs and can cause shock, organ failure, and death.
Organ failure and death are more likely if sepsis is not recognized early and treated immediately.
Sepsis is estimated to infect about 55,000 Australians each year, killing between 5,000 and 9,000, making it more than four times more deadly than the road toll.
Symptoms can resemble those of gastroenteritis or the flu and can quickly become fatal.
The six main signs of something life-threatening can be identified by the acronym ‘SEPSIS’:
- Difficulty speaking or confusion, lethargy, disorientation.
- Extreme chills or muscle pain, fever, or low temperature.
- Pressing on a rash doesn’t make it go away
- Severe dyspnea, rapid breathing.
- Inability to urinate for several hours.
- Mottled or discolored skin
Children may also have convulsions or seizures and a rash that does not go away when pressed, with more than 40 percent of cases occurring in children under five years of age.
Anyone who develops these symptoms should seek medical help urgently and ask doctors: “Could this be sepsis?”
Sepsis is a leading cause of preventable death, killing around 10,000 Australians each year.
The early symptoms of sepsis can be easily confused with milder conditions, making it difficult to diagnose.
A high temperature (fever), chills and chills, rapid heartbeat, and rapid breathing are also indicators.
A patient can deteriorate rapidly if sepsis is not detected at an early stage, so prompt diagnosis and treatment are vital; although this rarely happens.
In the early stages, sepsis can be confused with a respiratory infection, flu, or an upset stomach.
It is more common and dangerous in older adults, pregnant women, children under one year old, people with chronic illnesses, or those who have weakened immune systems.