Sepsis Awareness Month – World Sepsis Day 13 September 2024

During Sepsis Awareness Month, it is essential to highlight that despite campaigns to raise public awareness and alert medical personnel of signs and symptoms.

Sepsis kills five people every hour and accounts for about 50,000 deaths per year in the UK alone, purely because of delays in diagnosis and treatment.

These figures are shocking. How does Sepsis remain such a leading killer? Awareness, early detection and treatment are the key.

If not fatal, Sepsis can still cause severe disablement among children and adults. Early detection and treatment is vital to achieve a better outcome.

Please do not be afraid to ask, “Could it be sepsis?”

Sepsis, also referred to as septicaemia or blood poisoning, occurs when the body’s immune system ramps up to overdrive to fight an infection. Symptoms of Sepsis vary between adults and children. Be aware and look out for the following signs:

In children:

• a mottled, bluish or pale appearance of the skin or lips
• lethargy difficult to wake
• unusually cold to touch
• rapid breathing
• a rash that does not fade when you press it
• a seizure or convulsion.

In adults:

• slurred speech
• rigors – extreme shivering or muscle pain
• passing no urine in a day
• severe breathlessness
• high heart rate and high or low body temperature
• mottled or discoloured skin or lips.

Amanda Cavanagh, Associate in the Medical Negligence team at Ashtons Legal, says: “The early detection of sepsis is vital. If you feel something is not right, even without obvious symptoms, and if you are concerned at all about anyone, please don’t be afraid to ask, “could it be sepsis?” This question just may just save a life”.

Contact our medical negligence solicitors today

If you believe we can assist you when pursuing a Medical Negligence claim, please get in contact with us on 0330 191 4835 or fill out our online enquiry form.

Our experienced team of lawyers will be able to offer advice and guide you through every step of the claims process and our in-house rehabilitation coordinators can help to support you through your recovery.

Sources: Why is sepsis on the rise? Is sepsis same as septicaemia symptoms?