Sepsis is a disease that results from the body’s extreme and life-threatening reaction to any infection in the body, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Every year, 49 million people worldwide contract sepsis and approximately 11 million lose their lives. In Turkey, it is reported that an average of 60 percent of patients diagnosed with sepsis lose their lives. However, what is even worse is the lack of awareness of sepsis in Turkey. Studies have shown that while 49 percent of Germans and 44 percent of Americans know what this disease is, the awareness rate in Turkey is only 11 percent.
VACCINATION IS LIFE
It is vital to vaccinate against influenza, pneumonia and other infections that can lead to sepsis as frequently as necessary. On the other hand, the probability of death of patients may vary depending on factors such as general health status, age, time of diagnosis, time of initiation of treatment and adequacy of treatment.
DO NOT USE UNNECESSARY ANTIBIOTICS!
Turkish Thoracic Society Intensive Care Working Group Secretary Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sabri Kasapoğlu drew attention to antimicrobial resistance due to unnecessary antibiotic use, saying, “Antibiotic resistance complicates sepsis treatment and contributes to increased mortality rates. Despite all efforts over the past 12 years, sepsis continues to be one of the most common and least recognized diseases in both developed and developing countries. Sepsis can develop as a result of any kind of infection; although bacterial infections are more prominent, viruses, fungi and parasites can also cause sepsis. he said.
PROTOCOLS MUST BE FOLLOWED
Chest Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. İpek Candemir drew attention to the importance of vaccines in preventing sepsis and said, “Vaccination against bacterial and viral infections, especially pneumococcus, meningococcus and influenza, reduces the risk of infection and therefore the risk of sepsis. Paying attention to hand hygiene, Taking care of surgical wounds and adhering to infection control protocols in hospital settings also significantly reduces the risk of sepsis. Sepsis is a deadly condition that requires early diagnosis and rapid treatment. Increasing sepsis awareness will allow for faster recognition and treatment of this serious condition among both healthcare professionals and society at large.”
“GO TO HOSPITAL IN CASE OF SUDDEN FEVER”
Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Dr. Yelda Öğütmen also emphasized that in case of sudden fever, the nearest health institution should be visited, and said, “The most common symptoms of sepsis are low blood pressure, decreased urine output, respiratory failure and increased heart rate.”
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