Sepsis Can Start from a Simple Cut and End Up Killing You
How many people are affected?
- Sepsis is the leading pediatric killer worldwide
- Sepsis affects at least 750,000 people each year
- Approximately 550 people die every day in the U.S.
- An average of 215,000 people die from sepsis each year in the US
Why is it so dangerous?
- Untreated 100% of the patients die
- Patients receiving the best treatment currently available a minimum of 30% die
- Every hour raises the risk of death by eight percent if the sepsis is untreated
- Vital to get treated as soon as possible
- At least 50 percent of septic shock patients do not survive
- Anyone can get sepsis
- A minor cut, scrape or a bug bite can set off the deadly cascade
- The Cost of Sepsis
Treatment of severe sepsis involves a long stay in the intensive care unit which incurs high costs. It costs the United States $17 billion a year to treat sepsis.
What is it?
- Sepsis is an extremely serious condition which is caused by an overwhelming immune response to infection.
- The infection prompts the body to release chemicals but the chemicals themselves cause widespread inflammation which can fatally damage the organs.
- Sepsis can also cause the blood to clot which then reduces blood flow to limbs and internal organs.
- In severe cases, one or more organs fail.
- In the worst cases, infection leads to a life-threatening drop in blood pressure, called septic shock.This can quickly lead to the failure of several organs including the lungs, liver and kidney, causing death.
How will I know?
- Common symptoms include:
- High temperature
- High pulse rate
- Chills
- Low blood pressure
- Mottling of skin
- Confusion
- Lightheaded
Long-Term effects of Sepsis
Many people who suffer severe sepsis and survive recover completely and live a normal life. Some, however, may not make a complete recovery and there is some evidence