Sepsis—the problem that doctors often miss

It’s been called the silent killer, and its many symptoms are often mistaken for another problem—until it’s too late, says Bryan Hubbard

Sepsis is a life-threatening problem that often gets detected too late—and doctors are also likely to misdiagnose it. So it’s important to understand the symptoms and get treatment early.

Sepsis happens when the immune system overreacts to an infection and starts attacking tissue, which can cause life-threatening organ failure. Different parts of the body, and bodily functions, can change as sepsis progresses.

In its early stages, it’s easily treated with intravenous antibiotics and fluids, but this window is open for only a few days; a patient who reaches septic shock, when their blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level, has only a 50 percent chance of survival. It’s reckoned that every hour of delay once septic shock sets in increases the chances of death by 8 percent.

Sepsis has a number of telltale symptoms as the body starts to fail, but these early signs can easily be mistaken for other conditions. Severe shivering as the body tries to heat up is one common sign, and as sepsis progresses, muscle pain is another typical symptom. Not urinating for a day is another indication, as are slurred speech or confusion and sudden breathlessness.

Pale or blotchy skin on the lips, tongue, or palms and soles of feet and rashes that don’t fade also suggest sepsis. The skin may also develop pinprick bruises or large purple areas that can turn blue, a sign the body is not getting enough oxygen.

In its early stages, sepsis can be mistaken for a chest infection, flu or upset stomach, or even a stroke in an older person. Any one of these symptoms on their own suggests sepsis is not the problem, but emergency care should be sought if you suffer several around the same time.

Sepsis is most common and dangerous in older adults, pregnant women, infants and people who have chronic conditions or weakened immune systems.

Spotting the signs of sepsis

Six signs that indicate sepsis are described in the acronym SEPSS.

S – slurred speech or confusion

E – extreme shivering or muscle pain

P – passing no urine for five hours or more

S – severe breathlessness

S – skin that’s blue, mottled or discolored

What do you think? Start a conversation over on the... WDDTY Community