Infections & Sepsis
Although some of the early symptoms of sepsis are similar to those of an infection, sepsis is not an infection but the body's over-reaction to one. A patient with sepsis can deteriorate rapidly and is in danger of suffering multiple organ failure.
Infections and sepsis
Sepsis is the response which sometimes occurs when a patient is already suffering from an infection elsewhere in the body, frequently the chest or abdomen. A wide range of infections may prompt a sepsis response such as:
- A urinary tract infection
- A gallbladder infection
- A chest infection, such as pneumonia
- Peritonitis, an infection of the lining of the abdomen
- Influenza
However, sepsis can also develop following a brain infection, a heart infection or post-surgical infections.
The threat of sepsis
Sepsis is thought to affect approximately 27,000,000 people worldwide each year with around 8 million people dying as a result.
In the UK, up to 250,000 people may contract sepsis each year with over 40,000 dying. Thousands of those deaths are thought to be avoidable with earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Even those patients who survive may suffer life-long problems following the onset of organ failure.
Sepsis symptoms
Early symptoms of sepsis are a high temperature, chills, a fast heartbeat and fast breathing.
As the patient begins to deteriorate, other symptoms will start to develop including the following:
- Nausea
- Feeling faint
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Muscle pain and aching
Anyone who is already suffering with an infection and begins to develop additional symptoms such as those above should seek medical help urgently.
Early diagnosis
Medical practitioners are being encouraged nationwide to ‘suspect sepsis' where a patient is exhibiting early signs. A prompt diagnosis is vital in order to begin treatment and try to prevent the patient from a deterioration of symptoms and poor outcome.
An assessment of the patient's heartbeat, breathing, mental state and blood pressure are key factors in identifying whether the patient may be developing sepsis and prioritising treatment.
Many patient with sepsis will require hospitalisation and even life support in an intensive care unit.
Medical Negligence
Where the key symptoms of sepsis are misdiagnosed, thereby allowing the patient to suffer a poor outcome, the treating medical practitioner may be considered to have acted negligently.
Speak to a solicitor
Contact Glynns Solicitors if you or a loved one have suffered the appalling effects of a late diagnosis of sepsis. We are a specialist medical negligence legal practice with significant expertise in supporting sepsis compensation claims.
Contact Glynns Solicitors to speak with an experienced medical negligence solicitor who will be happy to advise you.
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