Washington governor Bob Ferguson has declared September as Sepsis Awareness Month, providing great opportunity to educate our communities about the signs of sepsis and the importance of early intervention. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection damages its own tissues and organs. It affects approximately 49 million people worldwide each year, and while anyone can develop sepsis, it is most common among infants, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems. Despite its prevalence, more than one-third of American adults have never heard of sepsis.
You can recognize sepsis symptoms early with TIME:
Temperature, which may be higher or lower than normal.
Infection, which may present with visible symptoms.
Mental decline, such as confusion, sleepiness or difficulty waking.
Extreme illness, which can include severe pain, discomfort, or shortness of breath.
These symptoms can escalate quickly along with the risk of dying. However, with rapid diagnosis and treatment, up to 80 percent of sepsis-related deaths are preventable.
You can help spread the word with the Sepsis Awareness Month social media toolkit, including facts and graphics that make it easy to educate others. Consider including sepsis education in your community newsletter or simply talking about it with friends and family. Every conversation can make a difference.
To learn more about how WSHA is working to combat sepsis, visit our website for resources, updates, and ways to get involved.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Grant
WSHA Director of Clinical Excellence
rosemaryg@wsha.org