What is Sepsis?

Causes and Prevention

Sepsis is generally associated with infections acquired in hospital, however 80% of cases occur in the community.

Any infection can trigger sepsis in any person if they are predisposed to an uncontrolled hyper-inflammatory response but why this occurs in some people and not others is not well understood.

Infections can be viral (e.g. COVID, RSV), bacterial (e.g. Staphylococcus Aureus, Streptococcal), fungal or many other microbes. Infection may arise in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, abdomen or other part of the body through cross infection in the air or fluids or food, injury that can be even very minor, soft tissue injury and surgery.

Preventing sepsis involves getting vaccinated against infections like flu and pneumonia, practicing good hygiene and wound care, seeking prompt medical treatment for infections, managing chronic conditions effectively, and recognising symptoms early. 

Be sepsis aware and educate your friends and family.

Early sepsis is difficult to recognise and sufferers may look generally unwell but it can rapidly escalate to critical illness.

If you or a loved one is unwell, feel worse than when previously ill, are showing some change in one or more signs of sepsis and you concerned, then trust your intuition and TAKE ACTION quickly to seek advice from any health provider or go immediately to the closest Emergency Department/Urgent Care Provider or call 111 for an Ambulance and always ask…could it be sepsis?

(information sourced with thanks from Sepsis Australia)