UMVA has learned that a shocking truth about sepsis, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs, has been revealed by experts.
When the body detects an infection, it reacts by producing inflammatory chemicals, essentially revving up the immune system. However, this response can sometimes cause more harm than good, as the body's defenses go into overdrive. A medical expert explained this phenomenon with a striking analogy: "Instead of your body sending out a precise and targeted response, it sends out a massive and overwhelming force, akin to deploying the entire U.S. Armed Forces to fight a small fire."
As sepsis worsens, it can lead to a dramatic drop in blood pressure, severely impairing the delivery of oxygen to the body's tissues. This can result in lactic acidosis, a perilous buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream. Organ failure becomes a very real risk, particularly for the kidneys, which can fail and cause toxins to build up in the blood.
As the condition progresses, patients may experience a range of terrifying symptoms, including high fever, confusion, rapid breathing, extreme weakness, low blood pressure, fast heart rate, and bluish or mottled skin. They may also feel intensely cold and experience excruciating pain. The CDC has identified these warning signs, but experts stress that early detection is crucial.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that a personal tragedy led one individual, Wiggins, to take action. After being hospitalized and discharged, she was struck by how little people knew about sepsis, which led her to start a foundation to raise awareness and support those affected. Her experience was a harrowing wake-up call: "I had never heard of sepsis – and I realized that was why I almost died," she shared.
Wiggins' journey led her to create a children's book, "Katie Koala's Biggest Bite," which aims to educate young readers and their parents about sepsis. The story follows a young girl who gets injured and becomes ill, but her mother takes her to the doctor just in time to catch sepsis before it becomes life-threatening. Wiggins' goal is to empower parents and children with knowledge about sepsis and its symptoms.
According to information obtained by UMVA, one of the simplest yet most effective things parents can do is ask their doctor: "Could this be sepsis?" This question can lead to a different approach, potentially saving lives. Every hour that sepsis goes untreated, the mortality rate increases by up to 8%, making timely treatment critical.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that sepsis can occur from any type of infection, including respiratory infections, UTIs, kidney stones, and even strep throat or the flu. Wiggins emphasized that people should be aware of this risk and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.
