Sepsis

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Overview

The National Institute for Care and Health Excellence (NICE) says:-

"Sepsis is a clinical syndrome caused by the body's immune and coagulation systems being switched on by an infection. Sepsis with shock is a life-threatening condition that is characterised by low blood pressure despite adequate fluid replacement, and organ dysfunction or failure. Sepsis has recently been highlighted as being a leading cause of avoidable death that kills more people than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined."

Sepsis not a disease in itself but rather a serious complication that can arise as a result of an infection.

Who is at Risk?

In England as a whole, there are around 123,000 cases of sepsis a year. Around 37,000 people die every year as a result of the condition (NHS Choices).

Anyone can develop sepsis after an injury or minor infection, although some people are more vulnerable. People most at risk of sepsis include those:

with a medical condition or receiving medical treatment that weakens their immune system
who are already in hospital with a serious illness
who are very young or very old
who have just had surgery or who have wounds or injuries as a result of an accident

Key Facts for Somerset:

In Somerset in 2015/16 there were around 260 deaths mentioning Sepsis
Because Sepsis often arises following an infection as a result of a procedure or treatment for a separate condition, only 36 had Sepsis as the underlying cause of death.
In 2015/16, Sepsis was mentioned in hospital admissions in Somerset relating to 1340 people.

Further information:

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Did you know?

The number of people aged 80 and over in Somerset is estimated to have increased by a quarter since the 2001 Census. In 7 electoral wards, more than 10% of residents are now in this age group. - 2011 Census