Sepsis Awareness September is Sepsis Awareness Month, and so we every September we join forces with the UK Sepsis Trust for a September Sepsis Awareness Campaign. During the month of September we bring you lots of useful information about sepsis, what it is, what symptoms you need to look out for, and what action you should take if you suspect sepsis. In addition to this The UK Sepsis Trust delivered a webinar led by in-house Nurse and Sepsis expert, Oliver Jones and he recording of this webinar is available to view here: Sepsis Awareness Webinar What is Sepsis and what is all the fuss about? Sepsis is the body’s life-threatening overreaction to an infection. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to organ failure and death. It is often hard to spot, but it’s easily treatable if caught quickly. If you are concerned that you might have sepsis act quickly. Contact your local team or attend A&E and ask ‘Could it be Sepsis?’ Why do I need to know about Sepsis? As someone affected by aplastic anaemia, you are more susceptible to infection and neutropenia. That makes you more vulnerable to sepsis, and that’s why we want you to know how to spot the signs. OK, so what are the signs of Sepsis? According to the UK Sepsis Trust the symptoms of sepsis differ between adults and children, so they have created this visual to help you easily spot the signs. What’s important to know is that if you are displaying any of the symptoms below along with a fever you should seek help immediately. Please note, if you are neutropenic and you have a fever, even without any of the other symptoms then you should attend A&E immediately. Some helpful tips from patients who have experienced Sepsis: 1. Don’t put off going to hospital. I waited until my children had eaten their dinner and made sure I had sorted out their school uniforms for the next day, and then delivered them to a friend's house. By the time I got to the hospital, my sepsis had developed, and I was very ill. The medical team were very cross with me. 2. Keep a case ready packed in the car, or by the front door ‘just in case’. Even the time it takes to pack up an overnight bag can affect the success of treatment. 3. Know your normal. Understand what feels normal for you. If something just doesn’t feel right, please get it checked out. It’s better to be safe than sorry. 4. If A&E checks you over and turns you away but you continue to worsen, make sure you go back. Don’t be afraid to become a nuisance. It’s your health and it could be your life at stake. 5. Make sure your friends and family understand the symptoms of sepsis and know what to do if they suspect it in you. You may not be thinking straight if you do have sepsis. Know your normal As someone with Aplastic Anaemia you will be familiar with what feels normal for your own body, however it’s important that if you recognise any of the signs of Sepsis listed above, OR if you have a temperature and don’t feel quite right, it’s better to be safe than sorry and take speedy action. As part of the campaign with UK Sepsis Trust, we have created a Sepsis Alert Card for you to present at A&E, to help health professionals understand the risk factors for someone with aplastic anaemia if you ever have concerns about sepsis. Please click the button to order your free Sepsis Alert Card. Sepsis Alert Card Remember... just ask, 'could it be sepsis?' Patient Story Sam’s experience I was in my final year of university and didn’t feel quite right at university. I was sitting in the library doing my revision and I noticed that my pulse was racing. When I was walking, I was really short of breath and not feeling quite right. I was going to just sleep it off and it was only by sheer luck that I decided to check my temperature. It was 39.6 degrees so I called the hospital and they advised me to go to A&E. As soon as I got there, they got me straight in and ran lots of tests. I was on antibiotics and fluids very quickly and, because I acted fast, I recovered very quickly - just in time for my final year exams! If you have any concerns, it’s so important to get checked and go to the hospital. We can often worry about being pushy or wasting doctor’s time but sepsis can be really serious if you don’t catch it quickly. Time really is of the essence. Q&A with Briony Forrest, Aplastic Anaemia CNS at Leeds Hospital What should I do if I am concerned about sepsis, but I don’t feel that my concerns arebeing taken seriously? The hospital should have your medical history and should know that you have aplastic anaemia. Tell the doctor or nurse who is triaging you and they should take notice. Be firm in your messaging and if you’re still having issues, ring the haematologist secretary at the hospital or your nurse specialist. Be firm in your messaging and explain how you feel and what treatment you’re on. You’ve got to be an advocate. Remember, you know your condition better than anyone. Am I still at risk of sepsis after a bone marrow transplant when I have stopped takingimmunosuppressants? You are at the same risk as someone without aplastic anaemia but it’s important to still take it seriously and act urgently if you suspect sepsis and have symptoms. You’re not at an increased risk as you’ve stopped taking immunosuppressants but it’s it is still important to act fast. Can you develop sepsis from a cut or a line infection? You can get line sepsis. Cultures can be taken from the line and tested for infection, and often the lines aren’t used until results are back. If they are infected they will be removed. Do we still need to go to hospital if we are no longer neutropenic or taking immunosuppressants, but have a temperature? It depends how often you see your team and if you feel comfortable attending your local hospital without the support of your local specialist or the team that you’ve been under. I would say yes, just because it’s always better to be cautious especially when it comes to sepsis. What should we look out for? One of the main symptoms is a high temperature. It’s a good idea to take your temperature when you’re feeling well so you know what your normal temperature is. A lot of patients fluctuate so it’s all about keeping an eye on your body. Briony’s advice You’ve got to be an advocate. Remember, you know your condition better than anyone. Thedoctors in A&E might not understand the full extent of your condition, especially since it’s sorare. With thanks to: Manage Cookie Preferences