SEPSIS is fast becoming the silent killer in Ireland’s hospitals, worrying new research reveals. HSE stats show that 3,219 people lost their lives from the condition in 2022. No data is available for last year yet.
On average, there are 13,000 cases a year reported in Irish hospitals, although 15,000 people were diagnosed with it in 2022. The HSE said: “Sepsis requires urgent medical attention and can hide behind any infection at any age, making it harder to detect.” Sepsis occurs when the body responds improperly to an infection and the infection fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to deteriorate.
This may lead to what is know as septic shock and the dramatic drop in blood pressure can damage lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs, often resulting in death. The HSE said one in five people who develop sepsis die from it. But it warned that, as symptoms of sepsis can often be mistaken for something else, it advises people who have an infection and are not getting better to ask: “Could it be sepsis?” Speaking at the launch of a new sepsis public information campaign, HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said: “This campaign aims to help people recognise the signs and symptoms of sepsis, as early treatment can lead to better outcomes.
” The early signs of sepsis include a high or a low body temperature. You can also experience chills, a fast heartbeat, breathing problems, vomiting, headache or delirium. There are signs and symptoms to watch o.
