Ways to Prevent Sepsis

Although 47–50 million people worldwide are diagnosed with sepsis every year and 11 million die from it, sepsis is still not well recognized. Intensive Care Specialist Prof. Dr. Sibel Temür emphasized that the easiest way to prevent sepsis — a medical emergency that claims a life every 2.8 seconds — is to prevent infections. Prof. Temür pointed out that emergency intervention within the first hours, along with obtaining blood cultures and starting early antibiotic treatment, can reduce mortality rates from 70% to 20%.

Defining sepsis as a life-threatening condition caused by an abnormal immune response to infection leading to organ dysfunction, Prof. Dr. Sibel Temür stated:
“Sometimes, the infectious component is more prominent, while in other cases organ failure is at the forefront. However, if a clinician fails to suspect that both are present together and cannot make a rapid diagnosis and initiate urgent treatment, the risk of death can reach up to 70%.”

Prof. Dr. Sibel Temür, Intensive Care Specialist at Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, highlighted the rapid progression of sepsis and the crucial role of individual factors in recovery:
“People with weaker immune systems — those under 1 year of age, over 65, patients who have undergone splenectomy, individuals with chronic conditions (lung, heart, kidney diseases), diabetics, and those diagnosed with AIDS — are all at increased risk of developing sepsis.”

Pandemic Impacted Sepsis Statistics

Emphasizing that sepsis can be triggered by infections from all possible pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, Prof. Temür noted that immunocompromised patients had particularly severe outcomes during the viral pandemic period.
“Two years ago, before the pandemic, the global number of sepsis diagnoses per year was around 30 million; after the pandemic, this number rose to 47–50 million,” she said.

Antibiotic Resistance Complicates Treatment

Prof. Temür also highlighted antibiotic resistance as a major global challenge that negatively impacts sepsis treatment:
“Antibiotic resistance increases due to inappropriate use in terms of type, dose, and duration. We are running out of weapons to fight bacterial infections. Viruses are highly adaptive, resistance to antivirals develops rapidly, and new variants emerge. Resistance worsens sepsis outcomes. Unfortunately, Turkey ranks first among European countries in antibiotic resistance, which poses an additional risk for sepsis.”

Systemic Symptoms Affect the Whole Body

Prof. Temür noted that although sepsis symptoms vary depending on the source of infection, systemic symptoms affecting the entire body are typically seen. She listed the symptoms as follows:
“Symptoms that are often confused with many other conditions include: fever, confusion and slurred speech, neurological deterioration, severe shivering, muscle pain, severe shortness of breath, respiratory rate exceeding 22 per minute, low blood pressure, inability to urinate throughout the day, pale or mottled discolored skin, and a feeling of impending death.”

Long-Term Effects Can Persist

Prof. Temür emphasized that many survivors of sepsis may experience long-term complications such as memory and concentration difficulties or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):
“Sepsis survivors often have to revisit healthcare facilities due to physical problems, cognitive impairments, recurrent infections, or sepsis-related chronic organ failure that appear after discharge. The readmission rate varies across studies but is reported to be above 50%.”

Awareness is Key to Prevention

Prof. Temür stressed that the easiest way to prevent sepsis is to prevent infections, which can be achieved through vaccination and basic hygiene measures.
“Sepsis is the most preventable cause of death worldwide,” she said. “It can be prevented through vaccination, access to clean healthcare facilities and clean water, and most importantly, increased awareness. If an infection has already progressed to sepsis, it must be recognized quickly and treated with appropriate antibiotics. Early treatment of infections and early recognition of sepsis saves lives. Sepsis is a medical emergency, and it is vital to raise awareness about this fact. Emergency intervention within the first hours, obtaining cultures, and starting early antibiotic therapy can reduce mortality from 70% to 20%.”