What’s Going Around | Staying informed this Sepsis Awareness Month

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — Sept. 13 is not only Friday the 13th — it’s also World Sepsis Day.

Sepsis is often called the “hidden killer.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the number one cause of death in U.S. hospitals — but it is also one of the most preventable diseases.

Sepsis is the immune system’s extreme reaction to an infection which triggers inflammation throughout the entire body.

“It might seem a little counterintuitive, but it’s those people who are at risk for infections, so people who are at the extremes of age. So, for example, older adults over the age of 65, younger people. So infants and children under the age of one, those who might have chronic medical conditions that put them at risk for infections, people who have a suppressed immune system and might be on chemotherapy, and then also those who have recently had a severe illness or have been hospitalized,” said Dr. Jennifer Yu, a critical care physician at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Sepsis can progress quickly within hours to days. The key to detecting sepsis early is accurate and timely completion and documentation of vital signs. As a result, it’s critical that you call your doctor or seek emergency medical care if you or a loved one have any sepsis symptoms. The acronym “SEPSIS” can help you to remember the warning signs.

“Someone might say that they have fevers or chills. Also having an extreme pain or discomfort. Not your usual aches and pains, but something that feels out of the norm. Also having kind of this pale, discolored, clammy skin that is not usual for you being sleepy, confused or disoriented and not acting your normal cells and then feeling the sensation that like you might pass out or you might die, and then having some shortness of breath or having trouble breathing,” said Yu.

Sepsis is a medical emergency and needs to be treated as quickly and efficiently as possible. Treatments often include multiple types of antibiotics and IV fluids, such as saline.

“One of our campaigns here at MedStar Health is really to make the public aware that sepsis affects so many people. Annually it affects about 1.7 million Americans every year. And we know that out of about ten cases, eight of those ten cases start outside of the hospital. So the vast majority of people are out there with an infection and may not know it. And because sepsis can develop and progress very rapidly, we want to make sure that people are aware of the early signs and symptoms so that they can come and get emergency care right away,” Yu commented.

Sepsis is caused by any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, so infection prevention is the best way to lower your risk of the illness.

According to MedStar Health, tips for sepsis prevention include:

1. Wash your hands. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after eating as well as after going to the bathroom, coughing or sneezing, and direct contact with others.
2. Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines. Getting vaccinated against pneumonia, flu, and other illnesses can help prevent sepsis.
3. Follow wound care instructions. Keep cuts and scrapes clean, and follow any wound care guidelines from your doctor after hospitalization or surgery.
4. Know the signs and symptoms of sepsis. Look out for any signs of the condition. If you recognize even one symptom, call your doctor right away and ask, “Could I have sepsis?”
5. Act fast. If you suspect sepsis, don’t delay. Seek medical attention immediately. Early detection and treatment is critical.

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