13 September 2023 is World Sepsis Day and the current Anthony Collins trainee cohort have partnered with UK Sepsis Trust for our 2023 away day to spread awareness of this devastating condition and raise some much-needed funds for this important charity.

Today, the trainees have been undertaking a number of team-building tasks such as thinking of fundraising ideas for World Sepsis Day 2024, raising awareness to the public with a walk around Birmingham, cake decorating, and a cake sale. We have also been reminded of the importance of this day by a volunteer at UK Sepsis Trust, Gill Bentley, who tragically lost her husband to sepsis.

We are very grateful to UK Sepsis Trust and Gill for all of their help in partnering with us for this day. We have put together a short summary for all reading this post on how you can be ‘sepsis savvy’. Please do have a read if you can – it may save a life one day!

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is also known as ‘blood poisoning’. It is where the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection or injury. It is a medical emergency that affects 245,000 people in the UK every year, claiming 48,000 lives.

Time is of the essence. If you believe someone may have sepsis, it is important to get them treated as soon as possible. It’s important to know the symptoms – it can affect any one of us.

What are the symptoms? 

Children:

• Very fast breathing
• Fits or convulsions
• Looking mottled, bluish or pale
• Having a rash that doesn’t fade when you press it
• Being lethargic or difficult to wake
• Feeling abnormally cold to touch

Adults:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain
• Passing no urine (in a day)
• Severe breathlessness
• It feels like you’re going to die
• Skin mottled or discoloured

What do you do if you suspect sepsis?

• Seek medical help urgently. Call 999 or go to A&E. Don’t forget – just ask “Could it be sepsis?”
• If you’re worried about an infection but don’t suspect sepsis, call 111 or contact your GP

For more information, contact the UK Sepsis Trust.