EXPLAINER: What is sepsis? How to spot the signs of one of Ireland's most silent killers

We all know someone who has been affected by cancer and sepsis seems to have become another illness which has touched many of our lives in recent times. Indeed, the Irish College of GPs attributes sepsis as one of the leading causes of death in Ireland each year. So, what exactly is sepsis and what should people be looking out for?

Over 15,000 cases of sepsis are reported every year in Ireland and there is a significant fatality rate of 20%, meaning around 3,000 people die each year from sepsis. However, most people make a full recovery if it is identified and treated quickly. 

In March, RTE 2FM star Carl Mullan shared his frightening experience with sepsis all stemming from a simple sore throat which could have proved fatal had it not been spotted in time. Speaking on Instagram about the ordeal, the radio host said that he had ignored his niggling sore throat until the pain got too much.

Carl said: "It all started a few years ago when I got a sore throat. That was it, very simple – a sore throat. It was covered in white and yellow patches, and it was just so raw and so painful.

"I probably shouldn’t have let it get to the point that it did, and I should have gone back to the doctor sooner. I was in so much pain, I went back to the doctor who sent me immediately to A&E because it was in such a bad way."

At the hospital Carl was shocked to learn that he was in the early stages of sepsis, but was reassured that he was very lucky to have went to the hospital when he did. 

As Carl said: "The main point here is that I had no clue that what started out as a relatively straightforward infection could turn into sepsis. I was lucky the doctor sent me to A&E when he did, and thankfully, I was all good after a couple of days."

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a condition which is triggered by an infection in any part of the body. The most common parts of the body where infections can lead to sepsis are the lungs, urinary tract and tummy. It can affect multiple organs or your entire body, this typically happens if your immune system is weak.  

It is important to note that sepsis cannot develop unless you have an infection.

Symptoms:

It can be very tricky to tell whether you have sepsis, there are lots of possible symptoms and they are sometimes vague and similar to other illnesses like the flu or a chest infection. Despite this, the HSE advises people to always trust their instincts if they think they might have sepsis. 

According to the HSE, some of the early signs that a baby or child under 5 may have sepsis include having an infection and: 

• a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher (in babies under 3 months)
• a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius or higher (in babies age 3 to 6 months)
• a low body temperature (below 36 degrees Celsius) - check again after 5 minutes to confirm
• difficulty breathing, breathlessness or is using their stomach muscles to help them breathe
• no interest in feeding (in babies)
• not drank anything for more than 8 hours when awake
• vomited repeatedly
• blood in their vomit or their vomit is green or black
• sunken eyes
• a bulging soft spot on their head
• no interest in anything, even with encouragement
• been less responsive, irritable or difficult to console
• a stiff neck, especially when trying to look up and down
• not been themselves and you are worried

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Early signs for children and adults include:

• a high temperature (38 degrees Celsius or above)
• a low body temperature (below 36 degrees Celsius)
• chills and shivering
• a fast heartbeat
• problems with or changes to your breathing
• is feeling or acting differently from normal
• is vomiting
• a headache
• is feeling unwell

If you or anyone you know has any of these early signs, the HSE urges you to contact your GP immediately. 

Who is most at risk?

Anyone with an infection can get sepsis. However, there are some people who are more likely to get an infection that could lead to developing it. This includes babies under the age of 1, older people over the age of 75, people who have a weaker immune system or those who are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy. 

As well as this, women who have recently given birth or have recently been pregnant are also vulnerable as well as anyone who may have had surgery, a serious illness or who has a chronic kidney, heart, liver or lung disease. Anyone who takes medicine that impacts their immune system can also be more at risk as well as people who have a bacterial infection which is resistant to antibiotics such as MRSA. 

It is important to remember that sepsis is treatable if it is identified early and so people are advised to stay vigilant if they or someone they know has an infection and to remain aware of the possible symptoms.