Sepsis winter health warnings

Patients are being urged to be on the look-out for the warning signs of sepsis this winter amid concerns that a lack of education could lead to people staying away from surgeries, mistaking their symptoms for flu or a common cold.

In Wales alone, around 1,800 people die each year from sepsis, with one of the difficulties in diagnosis being that it can often be mistaken for flu. However, left unchecked, it can be fatal, leading to shock and rapid organ failure.

Dr Tom Connor of Cardiff University’s Systems Immunity Research Institute (SIRU), said that the warning signs people should look out for include shortness of breath and dizziness.

Dr Connor went on to say “As far as public perception goes, we are told quite often not to bother the hospital, not to go to A&E with minor problems and it can be difficult to know what is a minor and what is a major problem.

“In the case of sepsis and bacterial infections, there are warning signs, that if you see them you should go to the doctor.

“You shouldn’t be there thinking I’m going to be a martyr, I’m going to see if it clears up.”

Warning signs of sepsis include slurred speech, extreme shivering or muscular pain, passing no urine in 24 hours, severe breathlessness and mottled or discoloured skin.

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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