Sepsis: The silent medical emergency you need to know about

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A life-threatening condition that often flies under the radar, sepsis annually kills approximately 350,000 people in the U.S.

The condition occurs when the immune system has an extreme response to an infection or injury. This overreaction can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, sepsis affects 1.7 million adults in the U.S. every year, many of whom have at least one underlying medical condition.

Kristie Fancher is one of the nurses at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage and a member of the Sepsis Response Team. She said they see sepsis cases daily in the emergency room, sometimes even multiple times a day.

Nationally, about 1 in 3 hospital deaths are linked to sepsis.

The symptoms of sepsis can be subtle but escalate quickly. Watch for the following:

• Shortness of breath

• Fever, chills or clammy and sweaty skin

• Extreme pain or discomfort

• Confusion or disorientation

• Elevated heart rate or weak pulse

If you suspect an infection and experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

“We immediately get a lot of hands on you and start testing your blood to ensure you don’t have an elevated white blood cell count," Fancher said about patients coming into the hospital with suspected sepsis. “We’re also looking for any organ dysfunction and testing to see if there’s an infection in the bloodstream. Vital signs are critical because they tell us how advanced the infection or sepsis is, and we’ll administer fluids to help flush out the system if it’s safe to do so.”

While anyone can develop sepsis, certain groups are at higher risk, including:

• People aged 65 and older

• Infants and young children

• Pregnant women

• Patients with weakened immune systems

Preventing sepsis starts with good hygiene and wound care. Keep cuts clean and covered until they’re fully healed. Most importantly, recognize the signs and symptoms of sepsis and act quickly. Early intervention can save lives.

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