Sepsis Explained
This leaflet briefly answers
common questions and worries
for people who have had severe
sepsis:
What is sepsis?
Who gets sepsis?
How does sepsis occur?
How do I keep myself safe?
This leaflet can be made
available in alternative languages/formats on request.
如有需要，本传单可提供其他
语言/版式
此單張的其他語言/格式版本
可按要求提供
Na żądanie ta ulotka może
zostać udostępniona w
innych językach/formatach.
Sepsis
Explained
For patients who are
recovering from a stay on
the Intensive Care Unit
due to sepsis.
Created by:
Whiston Hospital Intensive
Care Rehabilitation Team
Whiston Hospital
Warrington Road
Prescot, L35 5DR
Created:
December 2016
Review date: December 2019
Intensive Care Rehabilitation
Team
Phone no. 0151 430 2382
What is sepsis?
Sepsis occurs when the body’s
How does sepsis occur?
Usually when someone catches an
natural reaction to an infection is
infection their body will get rid of the
so strong that it damages parts of
germs and the person will get better
the body. The body may then “shut
without any help. Sometimes people
down” parts of the body to protect
may need help to recover from the
them; such as the lungs, heart,
infection with antibiotics.
liver, kidneys or brain. As a result,
How do I keep safe?
Once you have fully recovered
from sepsis, you are no more likely
than anyone else to develop it
again. You will be advised on how
to protect yourself by eating
healthily and avoiding cigarettes
and alcohol. This will help your
Rarely the germs may spread into the
body fight off germs and reduce
these organs need support from
blood stream. This can occur no matter
your chances of becoming ill
medication and machines until the
where the infection starts, as the
again. If you do develop another
body has had time to recover. This
smallest blood vessels within the body
infection that is not getting better
is why you were admitted to the
fail to keep the germs out.
in a couple of days, see your
Intensive Care Unit, as this is
where this support can be given.
The body reacts by producing germ
doctor.
killing cells and chemicals. The
You cannot catch sepsis from
reaction may be very strong and the
door handles, toilet seats or by
body’s natural chemicals then cause
touching other people.
Anyone can get sepsis, but some
damage to the organs (heart, lungs,
Once you are back to your normal
people have more difficulty in
kidneys, liver and brain).
strength, you do not need to avoid
fighting off infection on their own
A variety of symptoms may then occur;
people with colds.
because of; chemotherapy,
low blood pressure, a weak heart,
However, be sensible: wash your
severe injury, burns, taking steroid
swelling of the body, difficulty in
hands before eating and after
medication, frail people, or those
breathing, kidney failure, confusion,
going to the toilet or gardening etc.
with a poor diet or high alcohol
hallucinations, and not remembering
Soap and water are the best way
intake.
what happened.
to clean your hands. Alcohol gels
Who gets sepsis?
can be used when soap and water
is not available.