From clammy hands to diarrhoea – the 3 surprising symptoms of sepsis you need to know
SEPSIS can be very hard to spot.
From sweaty hands, to a rash and even diarrhoea, sepsis can present itself in various different ways.
This is because the condition can affect many different areas of the body, so there are many different possible symptoms.
Sepsis happens when the body attacks itself in reaction to an infection, like a urinary tract infection (UTI) or pneumonia.
It can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
Globally, one-third of people who develop sepsis die, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
And many who do survive are left with life-changing effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain and fatigue, organ dysfunction (organs don’t work properly), and amputations.
Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.
On World Sepsis Day (September 13), we delve into the surprising symptoms of the disease you need to know.
1. Diarrhoea
Some severe tummy bugs can trigger sepsis.
It happens when the C. difficile bug, which causes bowel infections, moves from the gut and into the blood stream, the Sepsis Alliance explains.
A common symptom of this is moderate-to-severe diarrhoea alongside a high temperature and feeling sick.
This sort of bug is usually treated with antibiotics that are known to kill the bacteria.
Most people get a Clostridium difficile infection while taking antibiotics for another reason. You can also catch it from other people.
2. Confusion
Up to a third of all people who develop sepsis was experience some sort of neurological issue such as confusion or even anger, studies suggest.
Experts don’t know the exact reason why the condition affects the brain in this way in some people, but it’s believed to be the result of inflammation.
3. Clammy skin
Clammy skin, like sweaty hands, is a common symptom of sepsis.
The skin can get cold and clammy whenever your body temperature rises from hot weather, exercise, or a fever, the NHS says.
When the body has gone into septic shock, it suffers from a fever.
This causes your sympathetic nervous system (your “fight or flight” response) to send a signal to your body to produce sweat.
Other symptoms of septic shock are:
- Fast heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Extreme muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rash (cluster of tiny blood spots)
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, you should call 999.
A person’s chances of surviving sepsis are highly dependent on their getting medical intensive care as soon as possible.
The longer it takes to receive medical care the more likely it is a patient will die.
This is especially important for newborns, the elderly and those who are pregnant, people with long-term health conditions (such as diabetes or kidney failure).
Anyone with a lowered immune system (like those with HIV or AIDS or receiving chemotherapy), are also at risk.
Thankfully, once you receive medical help, there are treatments available.
These include oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, medication, antibiotics and surgery.