SEPSIS
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs, with the immune system going into overdrive.
How do you develop sepsis?
Sepsis always starts with an infection, such as chest infections, UTIs, or oral infections.
There are two main types of oral infection:
- Peridontal disease (gum disease), or
- Periapical infection, which is an infection of the tooth, as a result of the nerve and blood supply dying and decomposing.
Dental infection when treated, may not be successful and there is always the risk of secondary infection.
You cannot catch sepsis from another person.
Factors that increase the risk of sepsis.
The groups that are most at risk of sepsis are those with compromised immune systems whether this is due to age, medications, or medical conditions.
Sepsis is not limited to, but is more likely to affect, people who fit the following categories:
- Age - very young (<one year) or very old (>75 years)
- Impaired immunity - including chemotherapy, impaired immune function, long-term steroids, immunosuppressants, diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
- Invasive procedures or surgery in the last six weeks
- Breach in skin integrity
- Misuse of intravenous drugs
- Indwelling lines or catheters.
Patients are also less resistant if:
- They have a previous history of radiotherapy of the head and neck.
- They are taking bisphosphonate medication following cancer or for osteoporosis.
Sepsis symptoms in adults.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Non-blanching rash and cyanosis of the skin, lips or tongue
- Reduced blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Increased respiratory rate
- Altered mental state
- Bad breath
- Bitter/bad taste in the mouth
- Fever
- Pain
- Swelling of the gum
- Swollen glands of the neck
- Swelling in the jaw
Remember, situations can change so it's important to call 999 and say "Red Flag Sepsis" if you develop the following signs:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine (in a day)
- Severe breathlessness
- 'I feel I might die'
- Skin mottled, ashen, blue or very pale
Sepsis symptoms in babies and young children.
A baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
- blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
- not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
Out of hours. Please call NHS 111.
However, if you suspect yourself or someone you care for has SEPSIS, i.e. there are RED FLAGS according to the checker tool, as defined by The UK SEPSIS Trust, then dial 999.