According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, more than a million Americans are stricken every year by severe sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication that can result from an infection.
It’s important that people in the community be aware of sepsis and how they can best protect themselves, says Wilma Carbonel-Mason, RN, CCRN, BSN, MSN/ED, MSHCA, Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Director at Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center. Sepsis can affect anyone, but older people, infants and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis occurs when the body has an inappropriate response to an infection. It may be associated with pneumonia, a wound, a urinary tract infection or various other infections. Sepsis is a medical emergency that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Getting it diagnosed and treated right away is critical, Carbonel-Mason says.
What are the symptoms?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that sepsis can involve a combination of symptoms, including: diarrhea or vomiting; sore throat; shivering, fever or being very cold; extreme pain or discomfort; clammy or sweaty skin; confusion or disorientation; shortness of breath; and high heart rate.
People sometimes wait or mistake the symptoms of sepsis for something else, and by the time they get to the emergency room they are in septic shock, notes Carbonel-Mason. This is a severe condition where the body’s blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level.
Treatment for sepsis may involve antibiotics, intravenous fluids and other therapies. Getting immediate care is vital to support the best possible outcomes.
If you think you may have an infection or sepsis, call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away and say you are concerned about sepsis. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.