Sepsis Awareness

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What is Sepsis?

In this module, we will explore what sepsis is, how it can be contracted and who is at risk of doing so. We will also go over what we can do to prevent sepsis and how we can raise awareness. First, let's define sepsis.

Sepsis is an inappropriate response of the body to an infection, resulting in injury to the body’s own tissue and organs.

What's tragic is that it often presents as the clinical deterioration of common and preventable infections.

If not recognized early, and treated promptly, sepsis can lead to multi-organ failure, and death.

Anyone can get sepsis, but certain groups are at higher risk: Older persons (over 60 years of age) Infants (under 1 year of age) Diabetics People with chronic conditions such as heart, lung, liver, kidney diseases. People with AIDS People without a spleen Intensive care patients or other patients with longer hospital stays Patients that require invasive devices, such as intravenous catheters or breathing tubes Patients that recently used antibiotics or corticosteroids Other people with a compromised immune system

So, how can sepsis be prevented? Sepsis is the number one cause of preventable death worldwide. The best way to prevent sepsis is to prevent infection in the first place. This can be done by: Vaccination...

...clean water, hand hygiene...

...preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), safe childbirth...

Lets raise awareness about sepsis together. To raise awareness about sepsis the Global Sepsis Alliance has initiated World Sepsis Day.

World Sepsis Day was first held in 2012. Every year on September 13th, events in all parts of the world raise awareness for sepsis worldwide.

There are events for medical professionals, sports activities, photo exhibitions, pink picnics, gala events, dinners, public events such as open houses in hospitals and healthcare facilities, and of course online events such as the 'World Sepsis Congress', and campaigns on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as many more social networks.

Could it be Sepsis?

In this module, we will go over some of the most common symptoms of sepsis, its complications and how sepsis affects children.

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition. Early treatment with antibiotics and intravenous fluids improves chances for survival. The signs that you or someone near you could have sepsis are unfortunately not very specific and could also point to other conditions. Sometimes this includes abnormally high or low temperature (above 38 C or below 36 C). Other signs may include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cold skin, abnormally odorous urine, a severe cough, a lot of sputum.

Sepsis in children Annually, there are more than 75,000 cases of sepsis in children in the US alone. About 7,000 of these children die.

In developing countries, these numbers are much higher. Globally, 84% of newborn deaths due to infections are preventable.

Vaccines are available against meningitis and pneumonia, two of the most frequent causes of sepsis, especially in neonate children. Fewer infections in the first place means fewer fatal complications.

If one or more of the following symptoms occur in your child, do not hesitate to go to the emergency department and get help immediately. Abnormally cold to the touch Skin mottled, bluish and/or very pale Rash that does not fade when touched Very rapid breathing Convulsions or seizures Very lethargic or difficult to wake up Child is not eating Frequent vomiting No urination in the past 12 hours

Living Post-Sepsis

In this module, we will go over Post-Sepsis Symptoms (PSS), recovery, and life after a sepsis diagnosis.

Survivors also may experience a decline in cognitive function including, memory, basic math skills, naming, and orientation.

Furthermore, sepsis survivors may experience psychological symptoms that are also observed in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Long Covid. i.e. fatigue, difficulty sleeping, sadness, and anxiety.

Antimicrobial Resistance: An Emerging Global Health Threat

The discovery of penicillin was a game-changing event in modern medicine. This natural substance was first isolated from a fungus, based on its ability to selectively kill certain types of bacteria, while it is well-tolerated by most humans.

Thus, penicillin was useful to treat many bacterial infections that often ended deadly before. Since then, a number of similar substances for treating further bacterial and other microbial diseases were discovered (antimicrobials).

Unfortunately, the widespread (and in-part poorly managed) use of antimicrobials in medicine and agriculture has over time provided an advantage to microbial strains that were able to tolerate higher and higher doses of antimicrobials. This phenomenon is know as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

It also requires: Improved awareness among patients on why it is necessary to use antibiotics more sparingly. E.g. Most COVID-19 patients received antibiotics, while <10% had bacterial or fungal co-infections. Also, awareness of infection prevention, e.g. vaccination reduces the need for antibiotic use.