Mojca Jarc Sojč

SEPSIS

World Sepsis Day is an important date observed every year on September 13th. You might be wondering, what exactly is sepsis? Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition triggered by an infection. It manifests through organ dysfunction and the body’s inadequate response to the infection. In other words, it is a severe condition where the body reacts to an infection by damaging its own tissues and organs. If recognized too late and treated improperly, it can lead to septic shock, organ failure, and death.

The Lancet reports approximately 49 million cases of sepsis each year, causing around 11 million deaths worldwide. This means that nearly every 3 seconds, someone dies from sepsis.

Time is truly of the essence when it comes to sepsis, making rapid diagnosis critical. Fortunately, in today’s modern world, there are numerous molecular tests available that provide quick results on potential sepsis-causing pathogens. These tests help reduce the burden of deaths caused by infection.

Thanks to rapid diagnostics, patients receive appropriate treatment sooner, which also reduces the likelihood of developing antibiotic resistance – a growing issue in recent years.