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12 September 2019
Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) is supporting World Sepsis Day by increasing public awareness of a disease that in the UK kills 52,000 people every year.
Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is caused when the immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage the body's own tissues and organs. This can result in life-changing disabilities or even death.
Dr Sanhita Chakrabarti, Clinical Lead for Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), says although sepis is a potentially life-threatening disease, it can be treated successfully if caught early and the patient receives antibiotics in hospital.
“That is why,” she says, “Bedfordshire CCG is supporting World Sepsis Day on 13 September by publishing important information about the disease on its website, so the public will know what to look out for.”
People often delay seeking medical help for sepsis because the early symptoms can be similar to those associated with other less serious conditions such as flu, gastroentritis or a chest infection. “There is no ‘red flag’ indicator for sepsis and symptoms can differ in babies and very young children compared with older children and adults,” says Dr Chakrabarti.
Signs of sepsis in adults and older children can include:
Babies and children under five years old who are not feeding, suffer from frequent vomiting or haven’t passed urine for 12 hours could also be displaying symptoms of sepsis.
Dr Chakrabarti says: “Sepsis is a very serious illness and anyone suspecting they or a member of their family may have the disease must seek urgent medical attention. Call NHS 111 and don’t be afraid to ask the question, ‘Do you think it’s sepsis?’ If the patient’s condition rapidly worsens, take them to A&E or call 999.”
More information about sepsis including a full list of possible symptoms is available here.