September is Sepsis Awareness Month, focusing on raising awareness of the leading cause of death in hospitals across the country. Sepsis is a medical emergency that requires urgent attention and rapid treatment for survival. Caused by any fungal, parasitic or bacterial infection, sepsis is your body’s life-threatening and severe reaction to an infection. Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system targets normal tissue and organs instead of the infection. This leads to widespread inflammation throughout the body and the symptoms associated with sepsis, which include:

• Fast heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Fever or hypothermia
• Shaking or chills
• Warm or clammy skin
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Sepsis rash – red and discolored skin with small dark-red spots
• Extreme pain or discomfort

The Sepsis Alliance developed an easy acronym to remember the symptoms of sepsis, TIME:

• Temperature: body temperature can be higher or lower than normal
• Infection: patients may have symptoms of an infection
• Mental decline: patients often exhibit symptoms of confusion or sleepiness or can be difficult to rouse
• Extreme illness: patients can be in severe pain and discomfort or be short of breath

Sepsis is often confused with septicemia (sometimes called blood poisoning); however, these conditions are not the same. Septicemia is an infection that can occur when bacteria or germs enter the bloodstream and spread through the body. This can trigger sepsis, but it is not always the cause. Sepsis can be catalyzed by infections from many body parts, including the lungs, urinary tract, gastrointestinal system and skin.

Sepsis can impact anyone, and it affects an estimated 49 million people worldwide each year. However, it is most common among young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. Even though sepsis is a leading cause of death worldwide, an estimated 37% of American adults have never even heard of the condition.

For every hour treatment is delayed, the rate of death increases by four to nine percent, and as many as 80% of sepsis deaths can be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment. If you or a loved one are experiencing a sudden onset of any of the sepsis symptoms, it is imperative to seek medical attention.

The risk of sepsis can be reduced by preventing or quickly identifying and managing infections. This includes practicing good hygiene, staying current with vaccinations and seeking treatment when infections are suspected. Many individuals fully recover from sepsis. However, others may experience long-lasting effects such as amputations, organ dysfunction, memory loss or anxiety.

International experts have committed to improving the recognition and treatment of sepsis and septic shock. National and global guidelines have been set to improve the care of patients with sepsis. Island Health has implemented a continuous identification, monitoring, and improvement process to enhance the care of our patients with sepsis and septic shock. Through standardized, evidence-based practices, our medical teams are committed and prepared to treat this condition.