Sepsis Day Overview

Ever since its inception on September 13, 2012, Sepsis Day is celebrated as a key and worldwide event each year on the same day. The focus of the event remains centred on sepsis which is an autoimmune and potentially life-threatening condition. If not controlled in time, it leads to multiple organ failures and death.

Each year, it affects a sizeable population and claims the lives of millions. Read on to know more about sepsis and the importance of Sepsis Awareness Day.

Sepsis - A Silent Killer That Kills 50 Million People Annually

Whenever a foreign object enters the body, its defence mechanism swings into action. This is how the body responds when one of its parts gets infected. The immune system of the body tries to defend the body from microbes. In so doing, sometimes the body’s response to an infection may well go out of control. This increases the risk of sepsis as the body’s defence mechanism (the immune system) starts attacking the tissues and organs. From one part of the body, this response triggers the whole of the body in the subsequent stages. It is this condition that either leads to the death of an individual or the multiple organ failure of the body.

An early diagnosis of sepsis, followed by an effective treatment can help save the life of a patient. But oftentimes, sepsis is hard to detect as its symptoms are vague or hard to recognize. Even medical practitioners find it hard to detect this medical condition.

The only way to diagnose or detect sepsis is to consider some of its symptoms. These include the following:

• Blotchy/cold/flushed legs and arms
• Lesser urination than normal
• Confusion
• Perspiration or shivering that often goes out of control
• Unusually low or high body temperature

Tissue death and multiple organ failure happen in the advanced stages of sepsis. These developments happen in the body due to impaired blood circulation which happens to the flow of blood to the kidneys, heart, brain, and other key organs.

Septic shock marks the final stage of sepsis in which the blood pressure falls dramatically. This nearly stops the flow of blood which transports blood and distributes heat evenly to different parts of the body.

World Sepsis Day – A Practical Step toward Protecting the Lives of Children & Adults

Sepsis is a condition that affects both children and adults alike. One of the reasons that explain low cases of sepsis among children is the vague symptoms of the condition that makes it difficult to detect for even the experts to detect. However, awareness can go a long way toward helping people and the parents of children in detecting the condition. Those who are aware are more likely to seek medical help upon seeing the following symptoms:

• Non-fading rash
• Lesser or no urine output
• Issue with walking
• Lethargy
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Low temperature
• Bluish lips or skin
• Low appetite

Sepsis Day plays a vital role in informing people about the ins and outs of sepsis which prompts them to take timely action whenever necessary. Different webinars, social posts, and activities centred on the distinct aspects of the condition widen the knowledge base of individuals.

Celebrating Sepsis Awareness Day & Month – the Need of the Hour

September is the month in which sepsis comes under the spotlight. It reaches its peak on Sepsis awareness day (on 13th September) each year. On Sepsis World Day, dedicated individuals and organizations join hands and work together to remember those who lost their lives due to sepsis. They work together and pledge to support the global movement for enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. This makes it imperative on the part of every individual to join the movement and support it.

Conclusion

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition that does not have any cure. Its symptoms are mild in the initial stage. If not treated in time, it develops into its advanced stages wherein the defence mechanism of the body starts attacking the tissues and organs. The flow of blood is also impaired which oftentimes leads to multiple organ failures or death. Sepsis World Day is an important event that helps raise awareness and find ways to enhance the treatment for sepsis.