Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that kills five people in the UK every hour.
Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive. It can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and sometimes death, especially if not recognised early and treated promptly.
It is therefore important to know the signs of sepsis, so you or somebody you know would get the right treatment as soon as possible, if the worst were to happen.
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The Sepsis Trust lists six red flag warning signs of sepsis in adults and urges "seek medical help urgently if you, or another adult, develop any of these symptoms". Handily, the symptoms list also spells out SEPSIS.
- 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
The UK Sepsis Trust reports that around 48,000 deaths are attributed to sepsis annually in the UK. Approximately 25% of these deaths are preventable with timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
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