Sepsis remains largely unknown despite being one of the biggest global health threats. On World Sepsis Day, 13 September, AOP Health is raising awareness of this often-overlooked medical emergency and the importance of acting quickly when warning signs appear.
Imagine having a treatable infection but not recognizing the danger until it is almost too late. This nearly happened to Dr. Michael Felli, a physician trained in intensive care medicine. It was a cold winter day when he began feeling unwell, and he naturally assumed he had the flu. His primary care physician and even colleagues at the hospital initially had difficulties recognizing that he was developing sepsis. By the time the diagnosis was made, his life was hanging in the balance.
Sepsis is the body's extreme, life-threatening reaction to an infection: instead of only fighting the infection, the immune system begins attacking the body's own organs and tissues. It can develop from something as common as a urinary tract infection, pneumonia or an infected wound and can turn life-threatening within hours. Warning signs include: confusion or disorientation, cold, pale or mottled skin, a very fast heart rate or breathing, little or no urine output, and an overwhelming feeling of being critically ill.
Without rapid treatment, sepsis can lead to organ failure, septic shock and death. According to the World Health Organization, sepsis was associated with approximately 11 million deaths globally and accounted for around one in five deaths worldwide1.
Michael Felli's experience shows how easily sepsis can be missed, even by medical professionals.
