Shining a light on Urosepsis and the warning signs to look out for

Urosepsis is a serious, potentially fatal illness but one which is preventable.

What is Urosepsis?

Sepsis is a potentially fatal reaction to an infection, where your immune system starts to damage your organs. If you develop a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and it goes untreated, it can spread to your kidneys, which can subsequently cause urosepsis (sepsis that originates from a UTI).

How common is it?

There is little information available regarding the prevalence of urosepsis, but The British Journal of General Practice has alluded to it being a growing problem. With their being as many as nearly 49 million global cases of sepsis a year, and some sources estimating that 30% of these could stem from UTIs, this would give an incidence rate of nearly 15 million cases worldwide a year.

Who is more at risk?

People who are more susceptible to urosepsis include:

• women
• children
• older adults
• people with a compromised immune system
• people who have existing wounds or injuries
• people who have invasive devices, such as catheters

[Source: Clinisupplies Head of Clinical Governance]

What are the signs and symptoms?

As urosepsis is a complication of a UTI, it is important to look out for the signs and symptoms of an infection as, if the UTI is properly treated, complications are less likely to develop. This signs that you might have a UTI include:

• Pain or burning when passing urine
• Needing to urinate more frequently
• Cloudy urine
• Lower abdomen and/or back pain
• High body temperature/fever
• Producing smaller amounts of urine
• Low body temperature

[Source: NHS]

If the infection develops, the signs that it is becoming more severe/septic include:

• Acting confused
• Slurred speech
• Mottled/blotchy skin
• Breathlessness or rapid breathing

[Source: NHS]

If you think you or someone you know has sepsis you must seek urgent medical advice.

Is Urosepsis treatable?

Urosepsis has a mortality rate of up to 40%, which is why it is important to seek treatment for an infection if you spot the signs that you may have a UTI; prevention is better than cure.

However, if sepsis is caught early enough it can be treated through antibiotics.

Further Resources:

The UK Sepsis Trust

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