At Risk of Sepsis
Sepsis is an increasing and life-threatening problem worldwide. Some individuals are more susceptible than others and this should alert medical practitioners to monitor carefully for signs of the condition.
Why is sepsis so devastating?
Sepsis is thought to be the cause of death in upwards of 44,000 people each year in the UK. Worldwide, there may be as many as 20 million cases a year.
Sepsis is an over-reaction by the body's immune system to an existing infection, such as pneumonia or a urinary tract infection, and can lead to multiple organ failure and death within a few days.
Susceptibility to sepsis
Anyone suffering from a severe infection is susceptible to the development of sepsis, but it would appear that certain groups are more likely to develop the condition and to die from it than others.
Those particularly vulnerable to sepsis include the following:
- The young and the elderly – this may be due to a weakness of the immune system in these two groups
- Those with a history of alcohol dependency whose health may be generally weakened. In a study in the US this was found to increase the likelihood of developing the condition by 80%
- People suffering from diabetes
- Someone whose immune system is already under pressure due to a pre-existing condition or on-going treatment which compromises the immune system
Spotting sepsis
It is logical, therefore, that where someone in one of these categories attends their medical practitioner with signs of infection, there should be greater awareness of the dangers of the development of sepsis and close monitoring of their condition.
Recent developments in the diagnosis of sepsis have encouraged the monitoring of blood pressure, breathing and mental state as a quick way of differentiating those who may have sepsis from those who may have a less serious infection.
Someone developing sepsis is likely to already have the symptoms of a specific infection, such as a chest infection. They may also start to develop some of the following symptoms:
- high or low temperature
- chills
- faster breathing
- increased heart rate
- falling blood pressure
At this point, they may require referral for further investigation, medication with antibiotics and possibly transfer to an intensive care unit.
Responding to sepsis
The identification of those who are more susceptible to sepsis is vital because, not only does the condition develop quickly, but, in those vulnerable groups, development from sepsis to septic shock to organ failure and death could be quicker also.
Where the signs of sepsis are not investigated, the outcome can be fatal. A delay of a couple of days before action is taken can make a significant difference in the patient's chances of survival.
Contact a solicitor
If you or a loved one have suffered from the awful experience of sepsis which should have been diagnosed earlier, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Ring Glynns Solicitors to speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor who will be able to assess the circumstances of your case.
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