The UK Sepsis Trust

Many people have never heard of sepsis, or if they have, people are often confused about what it is, and what signs to look out for. However, sepsis kills 48,000 people in the UK every year, which is more than breast, bowel and prostate cancer deaths combined. If it isnt treated immediately as a medical emergency, it can take someones life in under 24 hours. Sepsis is the bodys over-reaction to an infection or injury, which causes the immune system to attack its own organs and tissues. It affects 245,000 people every year in the UK and is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide (11 million people). If not caught quickly enough, sepsis can result in organ failure, amputation and death. However, with early diagnosis it can be treated with intravenous antibiotics and fluids, and the outlook is often good for the majority of patients who seek urgent medical attention. Sepsis is triggered by any infection or injury (no matter how minor either may seem), and can affect anyone, regardles...