Could It Be Sepsis?
Mims Davies MP shares life saving symptoms of Sepsis.
Announced this week was Martha’s Rule, which will be implemented in hospitals across England from April, enabling patients and families to seek an urgent review if their condition deteriorates.
The patient safety initiative is set to be rolled out to at least 100 NHS sites by March 2025 and will give patients and their families round-the-clock access to a rapid review from an independent critical care team if they are worried about their or a loved one’s condition.
This escalation process will be available 24 hours a day to patients and families and NHS staff, and will be advertised throughout hospitals, making it quickly and easily accessible.
Thirteen-year-old Martha Mills died from sepsis at King’s College Hospital, London, in 2021, due to a failure to escalate her to intensive care and after her family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to promptly.
Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is a life threatening response to infection causing injury to its own tissues and organs. It can be very hard to spot due to the myriad of possible symptoms which can mirror other conditions, including flu or a chest infection.
Sepsis is not contagious, you therefore cannot catch it from others around you, and unfortunately it is not always possible to prevent. However, there are ways in which you can try to help prevent infections that can lead to sepsis:
- keep up to date with vaccines, particularly for babies, children, older people and pregnant women
- clean and care for any wounds
- take antibiotics correctly – follow the instructions and take all your prescribed antibiotics, even if you feel better
- wash your hands regularly and teach children how to wash their hands well
Sepsis is an indiscriminate killer, if you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of Sepsis, please do seek medical attention immediately because it can get worse quickly. If sepsis is not treated early, it can turn into septic shock and cause your organs to fail which is extremely life threatening.
Once you have arrived at the hospital, you should be given antibiotics within an hour. Depending on the severity, you may also be given treatment in an intensive care unit, a machine to help you breathe (ventilator), or potential surgery to remove areas of infection.
Sepsis can be especially hard to spot, particularly in babies, young children, those with dementia or learning difficulties, and people who have difficulty communicating.
The Symptoms - in adults:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine (in a day)
- Severe breathlessness
- It feels like you’re going to die
- Skin mottled or discoloured
How to spot Sepsis in children:
If your child is unwell with either a fever or very low temperature (or has had a fever in the last 24 hours), call 999 and just ask: could it be sepsis?
A child may have sepsis if he or she:
- Is breathing very fast
- Has a ‘fit’ or convulsion
- Looks mottled, bluish, or pale
- Has a rash that does not fade when you press it
- Is very lethargic or difficult to wake
- Feels abnormally cold to touch
A child under 5 may have sepsis if he or she:
- Is not feeding
- Is vomiting repeatedly
- Has not passed urine for 12 hours
Mims Davies MP said:
"Sepsis is a terrifying, life threatening condition with a myriad of symptoms which mirror everyday illnesses such as flu and chest infections, making it very hard to identify.
Please do familiarise yourselves with the common symptoms as it could save your life or the life of a loved one.
I'd like to thank you Cllr Sandy Ellis for bravely sharing her story with me and lets all remember to Just Ask - Could It Be Sepsis?"
Cllr Sandy Ellis said:
"After having seen my husband suffer sepsis shock & the potential life-threatening condition caused by this infection.
I urge members of our community to get involved to raise awareness & education of the systems.
I believe the time it took me to read an article from the sepsis trust’ just ask campaign’, gave me the confidence to recognise the signs & Phone 999.
Please take the 20 seconds to Learn the sign, save lives & improve outcomes for survivors of all ages. It can claim the young & old, the fit & heathy, it holds no boundaries.
‘Just ask: could it be sepsis', The UK Sepsis Trust"