Sepsis accounts for at least eight million deaths worldwide each year. Yet, less than 50 percent of the population knows about sepsis.
In Tennessee, 75,000 adults and 800 children were hospitalized for sepsis in 2019. Sepsis is the body’s abnormal response to an infection. Common symptoms include fever, chilling, fast heart rate, fast breathing, foggy thinking, weakness, hurting and generally feeling very sick. The symptoms are mild at first, but worsen quickly and can lead to permanent disability or death. Early recognition and treatment are vital for survival, so if you think you or a loved one has signs of sepsis, seek medical attention right away and say, “I am concerned about sepsis.”
World Sepsis Day is observed on Sept. 13 each year, and is an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against sepsis. To help maximize hospitals’ participation, THA has created a digital toolkit, complete with social media graphics, content, videos and tips. Information will be added to the toolkit throughout the month of September, so check back often. Please join THA and hospitals across the state in this month-long sepsis media awareness campaign and share how your hospital is working to #StopSepsis.
