An infection so severe, it can take your life. September is Sepsis Awareness Month and what you don't know about it can be dangerous.
Sepsis is your body’s life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised that you can stay ahead of the condition with prevention by taking care of chronic conditions and staying up to date on vaccinations.
The CDC also urged good hygiene including thorough hand washing and keeping cuts and wounds covered until they are healed.
Symptoms of the condition can include confusion or disorientation, shortness of breath, extreme pain or discomfort, and clammy or sweaty skin.
Adena Health System doctor Rajinish Jesudoss, a specialist in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, said it is very important to not just know the symptoms but to also seek treatment right away.
Dr. Jesudoss said that just like time is critical in stroke cases, it is also in sepsis,
“The golden hour. The same thing with sepsis,” he said. “If you delay getting into the doctor, there could be trouble.”
The doctor recommended the acronym for the word TIME:
- Temperature
- Infection
- Mental Decline
- Extremely Ill
The Sepsis Alliance estimated that every year more than 1.7 million Americans develop the potentially deadly medical condition.
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