NHS doctor Amir Khan is urging people to look out for seven warning signs and symptoms of sepsis as it’s important to catch it and start treatment early to avoid serious complications
Sepsis is a condition that many people most likely will have heard of at some point in their life. However, many might not realise just how dangerous it can be.
Sepsis a life-threatening condition that’s happens when the body’s response to infection ends up attacking its own tissues and organs, with the immune system going into overdrive. The UK Sepsis Trust reports 245,000 cases and 48,000 deaths annually in the UK. That’s around four people dying every hour. It’s a leading cause of death, surpassing some cancers, and a significant portion of cases are preventable with timely diagnosis and treatment. Many of these cases could be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment.
In order to help boost public understanding of sepsis and help spot early signs, NHS GP Dr Amir Khan, known for appearing on ITV shows such as Lorraine, took to social media to discussing what sepsis does to the body and outline share warning signs everyone should look out for.
“Let’s talk about sepsis,” medical expert Dr Khan said at the start of the video. “Now sepsis occurs when your immune system has a dangerous reaction to an infection. Now, normally when you have an infection, your immune system works to try to fight it.”
However, sometimes your immune system stops fighting the infection and starts damaging your tissues and organs, leading to widespread inflammation throughout your body.
At the same time, an abnormal chain reaction in your clotting system can cause blood clots to form in your blood vessels.
“This reduces blood flow to different parts of your body and causes significant damage or even organ failure,” he explained. “It can happen as a result of any type of infection.”
He went on to say: “The people who are most at risk of sepsis are those aged over 65, newborns and infants, pregnant women, those with underlying medical conditions and weakened immune systems, and anyone with things like catheters or tubes in place.”
Symptoms of sepsis
So what are the symptoms of sepsis? Dr Khan went on to share seven signs you should look out for.
“Symptoms of sepsis include weakness and fatigue, a fast heart rate, low blood pressure, a very high or very low temperature, shaking and chills, cold clammy skin, and pain,” he shared.
According to the NHS, other signs may include pale, blotchy, or blue skin, lips, or tongue, a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed, difficulty breathing, and feeling very hot or cold.
“Now, sepsis is a medical emergency and if you think anyone is suffering from sepsis, get prompt medical advice,” Dr Khan said. “The quicker you seek treatment, the better their outcome will be.”
If a baby or a young child shows signs of sepsis, the NHS advises you to call 999 or visit A&E immediately. This advice also applies if an adult or older child exhibits symptoms such as confusion, slurred speech, skin that is blue, grey, pale or blotchy, lips or tongue, a rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, or experiences difficulty breathing, breathlessness or rapid breathing.
If you or someone else is showing signs of sepsis, the NHS recommends calling 111 for guidance on what to do next.