What you should know
about Sepsis

What you should know
about Sepsis

SEPSIS is ALWAYS an EMERGENCY! IMMEDIATE hospital treatment is vital for survival!

Sepsis (also known as “blood poisoning”) is the most severe form of infection and is fatal if left untreated. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the majority of deaths from sepsis can be prevented by avoiding infections, early detection and emergency treatment.

SEPSIS CAN AFFECT ANYONE!

Somebody in the world dies from sepsis every 3 seconds.

In Germany:

Sepsis causes at least 85,000 deaths every year and is one of the most common causes of death.
There are at least 230,000 cases of sepsis every year.
80% of sepsis cases are in people who are not in hospital.
Around 75% of those who survive sepsis suffer long-term effects.
A large proportion of sepsis cases and deaths are preventable through early detection and treatment, vaccination and prophylaxis.

Anyone can get sepsis – certain groups are more at risk:

People with chronic diseases, such as lung, liver or heart disease
Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as people with diabetes, cancer, dialysis or AIDS
People with no spleen
People over 60 years of age
Premature or newborn babies, children

WHEN DOES SEPSIS HAPPEN?

Sepsis develops in a person with an infection. It is the most severe complication of infection. Infected wounds are not the most common cause of sepsis.

Sepsis can result from:

Pneumonia
A urinary tract infection
Inflammation in the abdomen
The aftermath of surgery
A cut or bite (a scrape or a scratched mosquito bite)
Tubes or devices in the body (permanent/port catheters, joint replacements, pacemakers, etc.)

COULD IT BE SEPSIS?

The symptoms of sepsis are non-specific at the start and hardly different from normal flu.

It could be sepsis if at least one of the following signs of illness are present:

Fever, shivering
Confusion or disorientation (change of character)
- “seems different from usual”, “completely changed”
Fast heartbeat (over 120/min), heart palpitations
Breathlessness, rapid breathing (20 breaths or more/minute)
Moist skin, sweating, weakness
Pain, feeling very unwell (feeling extremely ill)
- “feels like I’m going to die”, “never felt this ill / severe pain”

If you notice an infection and at least one sepsis symptom, always call 112!

Ask the doctor or person answering your call: “Could it be sepsis?”

Be persistent – don’t let them “brush you off”!

TREATMENT OF SEPSIS

If the diagnosis of sepsis is confirmed in the hospital, the next step may be transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Treatment should start as soon as possible after diagnosis. Treatment involves these vital measures:

Draw blood for blood cultures
Draw blood for laboratory tests (functionality of the organs and cardiovascular system)
Give antibiotics
Give intravenous fluids (“put on a drip”)
monitor urine production
apply an oxygen mask, or medication to stabilize blood pressure, if necessary

Other measures may be needed to find where the infection started and treat that area with surgery (to remove the local focus of infection).

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SEPSIS

Around 75% of those who survive sepsis suffer long-term effects. They can be very different, and some only develop years later.

Some types of physical damage are common but not immediately obvious, while others are plainly visible. There may also be psychological and social effects.

Further information for people affected by sepsis: Deutsche Sepsis-Hilfe

PREVENTING SEPSIS

Sepsis and its long-term effects are often preventable through prevention of infections, early detection and treatment as an emergency!

What’s important:

Always remember it could be sepsis. Know the symptoms. If you recognize two or more signs of sepsis, call 112 for emergency assistance. The medical on-call service at 116117 can also help clarify suspected sepsis.
Especially in babies and toddlers, older adults and people with a chronic illness: if they have an infection, remember it could be sepsis.
Keep an eye on insect bites and skin injuries, apply an antiseptic if necessary.
Effective treatment of infections.
Get vaccinated against preventable infections such as pneumonia, flu, and measles.
Maintain effective treatment of chronic diseases (such as diabetes).
A healthy lifestyle and good hygiene.

Everything that protects against infections helps to prevent sepsis.

Important vaccinations:

Pneumococcal vaccination to prevent bacterial pneumonia
Flu and Covid jab every year
All vaccinations recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination at the Robert Koch Institute (known to your family doctor)

Hand hygiene helps prevent infection:

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly (20-30 seconds) with soap and water
Especially after going to the toilet and after blowing your nose, after touching animals or raw meat, before preparing food and before eating
Use hand sanitizer before and after contact with sick people