Sepsis Awareness NZ | Could it be Sepsis | Sepsis Trust NZ

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening uncontrolled immune response to an infection, causing the body to damage its own tissues and organs. Sepsis can be triggered by ANY type of infection, whether bacterial, viral, fungal, or caused by other germs (pathogens). Sepsis needs urgent and quick treatment with antibiotics, intravenous fluids and other supportive measures.

Act NOW if you Suspect Sepsis

ANY infection at ANY time can lead to sepsis.

Sepsis can be hard to recognise, so trust your gut instinct. If you spot any of the signs or are concerned call 111 or go straight to Emergency and ask: Could it be Sepsis?

Who is at Risk?

Anyone is at risk of developing sepsis from any infection at any time. Sepsis always starts with an infection, which could be a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. It’s not known why the immune response of some people develop sepsis in response to infections whereas others don’t.

Some groups of people are at a higher risk of developing sepsis, including:

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
Māori & Pacific Islanders (often at a younger age)

4.2 million

children die from sepsis each year globally

$11,000

is the average cost of a hospital admission with sepsis in New Zealand

80%

of sepsis cases start in the community

11 million

deaths from sepsis every year worldwide

PAIGE'S SEPSIS STORY

Sepsis doesn’t care who you are - or what you do…

Paige was a healthy young nurse working in a busy emergency department… listen to how she became a sepsis statistic, one of up to 50,000 Kiwis who contract sepsis annually.