What is it?

World Sepsis Day is observed annually on September 13th to raise awareness about the global burden of sepsis — a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.

Despite significant advances in medical research, infection control, and critical care, sepsis remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. It can occur in anyone, but patients recovering from surgery are particularly vulnerable due to the risk of post-operative infections.

Understanding sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by organ dysfunction resulting from the body’s dysregulated response to infection. It can arise from various types of infections — including bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic, and is considered a medical emergency.

Sepsis can progress rapidly and is often unpredictable, requiring urgent medical attention. Unlike contagious diseases, sepsis is not transmissible from person to person, as it occurs internally in response to infection and is not airborne or spread through contact.

Sepsis can be particularly difficult to spot in:

• Babies and young Children
• People with dementia
• People with a learning disability
• People who have difficulty communicating

Symptoms

In children, symptoms of sepsis can include reduced or absent urination, blue, grey, pale, or blotchy skin, lips, or tongue, the appearance of a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it, difficulty breathing, unusual sleepiness or lethargy, and a delayed response to normal activities or surroundings.

In adults, sepsis may present as confusion, slurred speech, or behaving in a way that doesn’t make sense. The skin, lips, or tongue may appear blue, grey, pale, or blotchy. On individuals with brown or black skin, these changes may be more noticeable on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or inside the mouth or eyelids. Other signs include a non-fading rash—similar to that seen in meningitis—and difficulty breathing, severe breathlessness, or rapid breathing.

While not all patients will display every symptom, sepsis can develop quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, it is always safer to seek immediate medical attention if sepsis is suspected.

What are the treatment options for sepsis?

Sepsis is diagnosed through blood tests. Blood samples are used to check for:

• Evidence of infection
• Blood-clotting problems
• Abnormal liver or kidney function
• Lower-than-normal oxygen levels
• Electrolyte imbalances

Early treatment significantly increases the likelihood of recovery. People with sepsis require close monitoring and are usually treated in an intensive care unit (ICU). Life-saving measures may be needed to stabilise breathing and heart rhythm.

Medications, particularly antibiotics, are used to treat sepsis and can be effective against a wide range of bacteria. Once blood tests identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection, a more targeted antibiotic may be administered. Patients also receive intravenous (IV) fluids as soon as possible.

If blood pressure remains dangerously low after fluid replacement, vasopressors may be given to narrow the blood vessels and increase blood pressure.

Supportive care is often required. This may include oxygen therapy or the use of machines to assist with breathing. If the kidneys are severely affected, dialysis may be necessary to help remove waste products from the blood.

Let’s Drive Change This World Sepsis Day

By raising awareness and demanding excellence in medical care, we can protect lives and prevent suffering. World Sepsis Day is more than a campaign, it is a call to action for patients, practitioners, and policymakers alike.

Together, let us promote early detection, support those impacted by Sepsis, and hold healthcare providers accountable when negligence occurs.

Know Your Rights: Legal Help is Available

If you or someone you care about has suffered sepsis and you believe that they have suffered a worse outcome due to potential medical negligence, you do not have to face it alone. At Williamsons Solicitors, we specialise in helping individuals pursue justice and secure the compensation they rightfully deserve. Our compassionate and

experienced team will guide you through every step of the legal process, ensuring your voice is heard.

Contact Williamsons Solicitors today to explore your legal options. We are here to help you seek accountability and to advocate for better standards in medical care.