Sepsis is the leading cause of death worldwide. The Sepsis Alliance defines sepsis as “the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. In other words, it’s your body’s overactive and toxic response to an infection.”
The Global Sepsis Alliance explains that sepsis is a global health crisis that affects 27 to 30 million people annually, of which 7 to 9 million die. Sepsis can be caused by a wide variety of infections and microorganisms, from the seasonal flu, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, to Ebola and yellow fever, among many others. Symptoms of sepsis may include:
- Slurred speech and confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever
- Passing no urine all day
- Severe breathlessness
- It feels like you’re going to die
- Skin mottled or discolored
People at highest risk for sepsis are children under the age of 1 and over 60, people with no spleen, with chronic diseases, and those with weakened immune systems. Sepsis can be prevented with a vaccine, using clean water, thoroughly washing hands, preventing hospital acquired infections, safe childbirth, and by simply being aware. You may walk-in to any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, or you may schedule an appointment by visiting our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
Source: https://www.global-sepsis-alliance.org/sepsis