Sepsis Awareness Month: Knowing the Signs Could Help Save a Life

September is Sepsis Awareness Month, but for me, this is more than just an awareness campaign.

I’m Emma, and I work for Premier Community. I’m also someone who has experienced sepsis first-hand and now share my story through The UK Sepsis Trust.

When I was 18, I developed sepsis following a perforated appendix. What initially seemed like a minor illness quickly became life-threatening, leading to organ failure, emergency surgery, a prolonged hospital stay and a recovery that took almost a year.

That experience is why I feel so strongly about helping people recognise the signs and understand the importance of speaking up when someone simply isn’t themselves.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.

Not every infection develops into sepsis, but almost any infection can lead to it. This could be an infection such as a chest infection or urinary tract infection, or even an infection that develops from a small cut.

Sepsis can affect anyone, regardless of age, fitness or background. Recognising when someone is becoming seriously unwell and knowing when to seek urgent medical help could make a vital difference.

Recognising the signs

Sepsis can be difficult to recognise because its symptoms can vary and may initially look like other illnesses. One way to remember some of the key warning signs is SEPSIS.

If you notice these symptoms, particularly alongside an infection or a sudden deterioration in someone’s condition, seek urgent medical advice.

Sometimes, you just know someone isn’t themselves

One of the most important things I’ve taken from my own experience is that sepsis is not always about recognising every symptom on a checklist.

Sometimes, it is about recognising that something has changed.

That might be someone becoming unusually confused, much weaker than normal, struggling to eat or drink, becoming less mobile, appearing more tired than usual, or simply seeming unlike themselves.

For those working in care, knowing the people they support can be invaluable. Our carers become familiar with individuals’ routines, personalities, behaviours and what is normal for them. That familiarity can help them recognise when something is wrong.

But this applies just as much to families, friends and loved ones. You may be the person who notices that your mum is behaving differently, your dad is unusually drowsy, or someone who is normally independent is suddenly struggling with everyday tasks.

You know that person.

And that knowledge can be just as important as knowing the symptoms themselves.

What This Means for Our Community

At Premier Community, we believe care is about much more than following a care plan. It is about understanding people, building relationships with families and recognising when someone’s usual behaviour or wellbeing has changed.

That is why we believe it is important to talk about subjects like sepsis, because greater awareness can help people recognise when someone needs urgent medical attention.

My experience has shown me how quickly sepsis can develop and how serious it can become. It has also reinforced how important it is to listen when someone says, “Something isn’t right.”

Know the person. Know the signs. Act quickly.

For more information about sepsis, its signs and symptoms, treatment and support, visit The UK Sepsis Trust.

You can also read my personal experience through the Sepsis Voices initiative.