Sepsis is a rare but serious complication caused by an infection in the body where our immune system overreacts and starts to damage tissues and organs.
The most common sites for sepsis includes lungs, skin and digestive system, with nearly 25% cases occur in the urinary system.
People most at risk of sepsis is young children, babies and the elderly. However, many signs of sepsis can mirror that of a urinary tract infection, which can lead to delay in diagnosis.
This Sepsis Awareness Day, pharmacist and first aid trainer, Deborah Grayson explains the early symptoms of sepsis to watch out for.
What are first signs of sepsis?
The early signs of sepsis include:
- fever
- feeling generally unwell,
- dizziness
- weakness
- progressing to feeling confused
These are all symptoms that we experience with a urinary tract infection, which makes it easy for us to miss or confuse what we're feeling.
Deborah Grayson, pharmacist and first aid trainer, explained: "A good way to look for early signs is to check the heartrate and breathing rate as many of the later classical signs are often too late in the process."
She added: "A pulse above 90 and a breathing rate above 22 breaths per minute can be a good way of catching it sooner rather than later. Normal breathing rate is 12 to 16 breaths per minute. Breathing can often be laboured with the chest sucking in and also noisy."
As symptoms progress your lips might turn blue, your speech may become slurred and symptoms like nausea and vomiting can occur.
Certain symptoms of sepsis are more recognisable than others.
For instance, symptoms like severe muscle pain and reduction in urine output are not automatically associated with sepsis.
Meanwhile, mottled appearance of the skin or a rash which doesn't fade when a glass is pressed on to it, is a classic sign of sepsis, commonly seen in meningitis as well.
If the rashes occur , getting medical attention is critical and in many cases it may even be too late, Deborah warns.
How to recognise signs of sepsis?
Recognising symptoms of sepsis early is vital in ensuring that treatment is given before it is too late.
First aid trainer Deborah Grayson suggests using a mnemonic reminder to note signs and symptoms of sepsis.
- S -lurred speech or confusion
- E -xtreme shivering and muscle pain
- P -assing no urine
- S -evere breathlessness
- I -mpending doom - feeling like you are going to die
- S -kin is mottled
While all of these are common symptoms of sepsis, she also reminds that not everyone will experience all the symptoms.
However, if you think you or someone you know has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E. For more information on sepsis visit the NHS site.
