World Sepsis Day is observed every year on 13 September to draw global attention to sepsis, a life threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs. The day reminds health systems, professionals and the public that early recognition and rapid treatment of sepsis can prevent many deaths and long term disabilities.
History
World Sepsis Day was launched in 2012 by the Global Sepsis Alliance, a network of organizations and experts dedicated to improving sepsis awareness, prevention, diagnosis and care. Before this initiative, sepsis was often described simply as a complication of infection and did not receive enough separate focus in public health discussions, despite causing millions of deaths every year.
Since 2012, World Sepsis Day has been marked annually with events in hospitals, universities and communities across many countries. The campaign promotes international guidelines on sepsis management, encourages governments to include sepsis in national health plans and calls for better data, infection prevention and timely access to critical care. Each year, themes highlight issues such as maternal and neonatal sepsis, sepsis in low and middle income countries and the links between antimicrobial resistance and sepsis outcomes.
Why it matters
Sepsis is now recognized as a major global health problem. Estimates suggest that around 49 million people develop sepsis and about 11 million people die from it each year worldwide. Many survivors live with long term physical, cognitive or emotional problems, known as post sepsis syndrome.
Sepsis can develop from almost any infection: lung infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, abdominal infections, skin or wound infections, or infections after surgery or childbirth. In sepsis, chemicals released into the blood to fight infection trigger widespread inflammation, which can lead to low blood pressure, poor blood flow to organs, organ failure and septic shock.
Early recognition is critical. Warning signs may include very fast breathing or heartbeat, confusion or unusual drowsiness, extreme fever or abnormally low body temperature, low urine output and a feeling of being severely unwell or about to die. In babies and older adults, the signs can be subtle, so family members and health workers must remain vigilant.
With rapid treatment – usually including oxygen, intravenous fluids, early broad spectrum antibiotics and close monitoring in a hospital or intensive care unit – many people can recover. Delays of even a few hours in starting appropriate antibiotics are linked to a higher risk of death. That is why World Sepsis Day promotes the message that sepsis is a medical emergency, similar to heart attack or stroke, and must be treated with the same urgency.
Key facts
Global campaign
- World Sepsis Day has been organized by the Global Sepsis Alliance since 2012 to raise awareness and improve sepsis care worldwide.
Heavy burden
- sepsis is estimated to affect around 49 million people and cause about 11 million deaths globally each year.
Any infection can lead to sepsis
- sepsis can arise from a minor cut
- urinary or abdominal infection
- pneumonia
- skin infection or post operative and postpartum infections.
Warning signs
- fast breathing or heart rate
- confusion
- extreme fever or very low body temperature
- little or no urine and feeling extremely unwell or confused are danger signs that require urgent medical attention.
In Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, sepsis is a major cause of serious illness and death, especially among young children, older adults and patients with severe infections such as pneumonia, diarrhoeal disease, dengue or post surgical and postpartum infections. Crowded living conditions, delayed health seeking, limited access to intensive care and the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance can all increase the risk of poor outcomes from sepsis.
Many government and private hospitals now follow standard protocols for early recognition and management of sepsis in emergency departments and intensive care units. Training programs for doctors and nurses emphasize rapid assessment of suspected sepsis, timely blood tests, prompt antibiotics, fluid resuscitation and close monitoring of blood pressure, urine output and organ function.
On World Sepsis Day, intensive care specialists, infectious disease physicians and nursing societies often organize seminars, case discussions and awareness activities. Messages highlight simple but powerful measures such as hand hygiene, safe childbirth practices, vaccination, prompt treatment of infections and rational use of antibiotics to reduce the overall burden of sepsis.
For families, the key message is to seek medical care quickly when someone with an infection suddenly becomes much more unwell, confused or breathless. Recognizing danger signs early and reaching a capable health facility without delay can make the difference between life and death in sepsis.
Frequently asked questions
- What causes sepsis?
- Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It can be triggered by almost any infection, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, abdominal infections, skin or wound infections, or infections after surgery or childbirth.
- What are warning signs of sepsis?
- Warning signs of sepsis include fast breathing or a very rapid heart rate, confusion or unusual sleepiness, extreme fever or an unusually low body temperature, very little urine, pale or mottled skin and feeling extremely unwell or like something is seriously wrong. These signs need urgent medical attention.
- How is sepsis treated?
- Sepsis is treated in hospital as a medical emergency. Treatment usually includes oxygen, intravenous fluids, early broad spectrum antibiotics, blood tests and close monitoring of blood pressure, urine output and organ function. Many patients with severe sepsis or septic shock need care in an intensive care unit (ICU).