Sepsis Causes One Death Every 3 Seconds

On "13 September World Sepsis Day," Prof. Dr. Birsen Çetin, Faculty Member of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Koç University Hospital, provided commentary on sepsis, which continues to be one of public health's pressing concerns. Prof. Dr. Birsen Çetin stated: "Despite advances in healthcare, sepsis remains one of the most significant public health challenges. As a result, mortality figures are rising steadily worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Sepsis is a clinical condition that arises from the body's uncontrolled and exaggerated immune response to infection, causing damage to its own tissues and organs, potentially leading to immune system collapse, and can be fatal if early diagnosis and treatment are not provided. Affecting more than 30 million people annually and causing 8 million deaths, the incidence of sepsis has increased by 140 percent over the past 20 years. These figures mean that one person dies from sepsis every 3 seconds globally" – emphasizing the importance of the issue.

Prof. Dr. Çetin stressed the importance of early diagnosis and rapid treatment of sepsis, continuing: "Through a multidisciplinary approach with early diagnosis, rapid treatment, and early initiation of organ support therapies, mortality rates in developed countries are declining progressively, while rates in developing countries remain elevated.

Sepsis manifests through various combinations of different symptoms and signs. Initially, symptoms of infectious diseases such as cough, sputum production, diarrhea, vomiting, and sore throat are observed, and additionally, fever, chills or reduced body temperature, low blood pressure, malaise or pain, moist or sweaty skin, breathing difficulty, increased heart rate, and reduced urine output are seen. The success of sepsis treatment depends on correct and early clinical diagnosis, initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy targeting the causative agent, and maintenance of vital organ function" he continued. Awareness Campaigns Against Sepsis Organized Globally Prof. Dr. Çetin emphasized that in recent years, with treatment guidelines published for sepsis and septic shock and the launch of "Sepsis Survival Campaigns," mortality rates have begun to decline. Çetin stated: "For the first time in 2011, the International Sepsis Alliance (GSA) designated September as 'Sepsis Awareness Month' and 13 September as 'World Sepsis Day.' In 2017, United Nations member states acknowledged sepsis as an increasingly severe public health threat, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the prevention, recognition, and treatment of sepsis is a global priority" he said. Prof. Dr. Birsen Çetin noted that personal hygiene practices are essential in controlling many community-acquired infectious diseases. Çetin concluded his remarks: "Hand washing is the most effective and inexpensive method of protection against infectious diseases. Developing proper hand washing techniques among individuals and healthcare personnel is highly effective in preventing many serious illnesses. Complete administration of recommended vaccinations in childhood and adulthood also prevents infections that cause sepsis. Due to improper and incorrect use of antibiotics, individuals can develop resistance to this class of drugs. Due to developing antibiotic resistance, antibiotics may not be sufficiently effective when needed for sepsis treatment, potentially preventing successful sepsis management. Therefore, ensuring rational use of antibiotics in the community is very important" he emphasized. Underlining that sepsis is a very serious clinical condition that must be recognized and treatment initiated within hours or even minutes, Prof. Dr. Birsen Çetin concluded: "For rapid diagnosis, laboratory infrastructure standards in healthcare facilities and continuous laboratory operation are important. Blood culture, accepted as the gold standard in diagnosis, must be obtained, and urine and tissue samples must be sent to the laboratory when necessary" he concluded.