Your sepsis wiki

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Sepsis can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and death especially if not recognised early and treated promptly.  

As humans we come into contact with many pathogens, or ‘bugs’, during our lifetime, some of which cause infections. Our body’s natural defence systems and immunity fight these infections, frequently without any need to visit the GP or hospital.  

Sepsis can occur when the body’s immune system – which normally helps us fight infection – overreacts, causing damage to tissues and organs.  

The reasons why some people develop sepsis as a consequence of an infection are not entirely understood – medical research institutions are working to understand this better. It’s important to note that it’s not possible to catch sepsis or pass it onto others. 

Not every infection will cause someone to develop sepsis, however almost any infection can trigger sepsis – that’s why awareness is so important. 

Sepsis most commonly develops from a bacterial infection, but it can also develop from both fungal and viral infections. Common infections precipitating sepsis include: 

• Chest infections (pneumonia) 

• Urinary tract infections  

• Abdomen infections (appendicitis, gall bladder infection)  

• Skin, soft tissue infections (cellulitis, wound infections) 

Click here to see the signs of symptoms in adults and children.

Don’t  delay! If someone has one or more of the sepsis symptoms, call 999 or attend your local hospital’s Emergency department. If you’re concerned about an infection, call 111, or contact your GP and Just Ask: Could it be Sepsis? 

Sepsis is indiscriminate: whilst it primarily affects very young children and older adults and is more common in people with underlying health conditions, it can also be triggered in people who are otherwise fit and healthy. Several factors are likely to play a part in determining whether or not sepsis develops in response to a specific infection: 

• Type of ‘bug’ causing the infection 

• Number of ‘bugs’ present and where they are in the body 

• The person’s individual factors, such as underlying health conditions and their genetics 

We know some groups of people are at a higher risk of developing infection and therefore sepsis. These include: 

• Babies (under 1 year old) 

• Adults over 75 and/or people who are very frail 

• People who have impaired immune systems because of illness or drugs  

• Pregnant women 

Sepsis can be difficult to spot for the individual, for the loved one and for health professionals, particularly in the earlier stages. There is no single sign and no single diagnostic test – symptoms can also present differently in adults and children. 

Sepsis is a medical diagnosis and requires a full clinical assessment.  

A patient who is unwell and has signs or symptoms of an infection should be evaluated for the presence of sepsis by looking for one or more organs not working as they should be – this will involve vital signs monitoring and blood tests. Some hospitals use the term Red Flag Sepsis (developed by the UK Sepsis Trust) to help often junior health professionals identify people with likely sepsis rapidly. This is not an official definition of sepsis but suggests the patient is at high risk and therefore requires prompt medical attention. 

People who have sepsis require hospital admission (unless they are too frail to be considered for hospitalisation) and some may require treatment in Critical Care. This may include the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and/or High Dependency Unit (HDU). 

Antibiotics and control of the source of infection remain the mainstays of treating sepsis as a consequence of bacterial infection – antibiotics will not treat fungal or viral infections. If the source of infection is unknown, then a ‘broader spectrum’ antibiotic may be used until a source is identified.   

If a fungal infection is suspected, antifungal treatment should be started as a matter of urgency initially using broad spectrum drugs. Antiviral therapies are of less proven benefit in patients with viral sepsis, for whom the mainstay of treatment is organ support. 

Delivery of prompt antibiotics is part of a bundle of care developed by the UK Sepsis Trust known as the Sepsis Six. 

THE SEPSIS 6 

1. Call for senior clinical help
2. Give oxygen if required
3. Send a full set of blood tests
4. Give IV antibiotics (or antifungals)
5. Give IV fluids
6. Make a clear plan for ongoing monitoring

There has been some research into sepsis survivors which found that, over the following year at least, some survivors are more prone to contracting another infection. As with any infection, there is a risk of sepsis. But most people who’ve had sepsis before seek help early on and are treated promptly. 
 
If you (or your loved one) have an infection, then you should keep a close eye for any signs of sepsis and seek help urgently if worried.