Learn the top 5 risk factors for sepsis in the U.S. See if you’re at risk and how to protect yourself. Stay informed and safe.

Sepsis is condition where the body is life threatening of infection. It arises when a disease already present in your body (in your skin, lungs, urinary tract, and so on) creates a cascade all around your body. Sepsis can be life threatening with rapid tissue damages, damaged organs and death, unless treated early.

It is a type of medical emergency with an annual incidence of at least 1.7 million adults in America and a mortality rate of about 350,000. Early recognition and fast treatment form the key to survival (Epidemiology and Costs of Sepsis in the United States).

Knowledge of the most vulnerable patients is the first step to combating sepsis. Now, then, the important question– Are you in danger? The following are the leading 5 risk factors of sepsis in United State.

Living with Chronic Medical Condition.

Other underlying health conditions may also impair the immune system of the body and its effectiveness to combat an infection increasing the likelihood of a sepsis response.

• Diabetes: A high level of sugar in the blood may ruin the efficiency of white blood cells and cause damage to blood circulation that make it difficult to combat infections and wound healing.
• Kidney Disease: The kidneys are very important in the immune functioning and the removing of waste. In the cases when they do not work correctly, the risk of being infected increases.
• Liver Disease: The liver synthesizes proteins which are required to combat infection. This is a vital functioning that is impaired by liver damage.
• Cancer: The disease itself, as well as medicines, such as chemotherapy, may have a devastating impact on the immune system.
• Chronic Lung Disease (COPD): This is the chronic lung disease that leaves patients vulnerable to pneumonia, a frequent sepsis trigger.

The Bottom Line: One of the most effective ways to prevent sepsis is to maintain effective management of chronic conditions with your doctor.

Weakened Immune System

The army of your body is the immune system. Even a small infection can turn out to be a significant threat in case its defenses are lowered. An impaired immune system may be due to:

• Treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy of cancer.
• Organ transplants that would need use of immunosuppressant medication in order to prevent rejection.
• Immuno-specific diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
• Corticosteroid drugs (e.g. prednisone) should be taken over the long term.

When your immune system is weak, it is imperative that you are hyper-vigilant in avoiding infections and going to care when the initial symptoms arise.

Very Young (Under 1) or Older (65+).

One important risk factor is age that is not negotiable.

• Infants: Newborns are those with immune systems that have not matured at all. Their small bodies are not adequately prepared to hold and combat an infection, hence spreading it fast.
• Older Adults: With aging, the immune system becomes weaker- a natural event termed immunosenescence. Chronic conditions also tend to increase the risk of older adults.

In case of the family, it implies additional precaution is required. Any infection or evidence of a fever in an infant or an adult is to be taken seriously and considered by a medical practitioner as quickly as possible.

Recent Surgery, Hospitalization or Invasive Devices.

Hospitals are the place where we turn to and improve ourselves yet it is also the place where we can contract healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

• Surgical Wounds: Any cut may be a point of entry of bacteria.
• Invasive Devices: IV catheters, urinary catheters and breathing tubes may deliver germs to the body.
• Prolonged Stay: The more the hospital stay, the more the exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria.

This is why hospital staff practice strict hygiene protocols. If you have a loved one in the hospital, don’t be afraid to ask healthcare workers if they’ve washed their hands.

That is why, hospital personnel observe rigorous hygiene. In case a loved one was hospitalized, do not hesitate to request the healthcare workers to tell you whether they had washed their hands.

A Past Sepsis Tussle

It is a win to survive sepsis but one can be left scarred by it. It is a pity to note that the case of once having sepsis predisposes you to acquiring it again. The first incident may lead to irreversible damage to body organs and immune system, which makes the body weaker against future attacks of infections.

Sepsis survivors should specifically be proactive in terms of their health condition, such as taking prescribed vaccines (flu, pneumonia) and responding to any other infections with a sense of urgency.

Know the Signs of Sepsis: Time is Everything

Having the knowledge of your risk is one thing. The other is to be aware of sepsis signs. Remember the acronym TIME:

• T – Temperature: above or below average.
• I – Infection: Can have signs/symptoms of an infection.
• M – Mental Decline: lost, drowsy, slow to wake up.
• E – Extremely suicidal: I believe I will die, I am in a lot of pain or it hurts.

Additional symptoms may be clammy/sweaty skin, shortness of breath and increased heart rate.

When you are in the suspicion of sepsis, do not delay. Dial 911 or visit the emergency department and state, I am worried about sepsis.

Protect Yourself: Reduce Your Risk

You can make strong steps to reduce your risk:

• Manage chronic conditions.
• Keep up to date with vaccinations (flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal).
• Maintain good hygiene-wash hand and take good care of wounds.
• Hospital treatment should be sought in case of infections that no longer improve or worsen.
• Become a health care supporter of your family and self.

Knowledge is power. Knowing these risk factors means that you are already doing a very important step of protection. Share this information. It could save a life.

FAQ