The Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) has taken the initiative to elevate nationwide awareness regarding sepsis and its fatal complications through programs conducted by the various ISCCM branches.
Sepsis is a life-threatening infection that affects about 1.2 crore people each year in India. There are about 30 lakh deaths every year in India alone. As compared to the large number of deaths due to sepsis, in India, about 32,000 people died of heart attacks in 2023.
According to the Mayo Clinic, sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds incorrectly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body and cause the organs to work poorly. Sepsis may develop into septic shock. It can lead to death when the damage is severe. Immediate treatment of sepsis improves the chances of survival. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and sepsis may appear differently in children than in adults. General symptoms of sepsis include:
change in mental status,
fast, shallow breathing,
sweating,
lightheadedness,
shivering
symptoms specific to the type of infection, such as painful urination from a UTI.
The Department of Critical Care Medicine at Kasturba Medical College and Kasturba Hospital organized the awareness education drive in Manipal. It was conducted through an academic initiative by the members of the ISCCM Manipal branch for both the general public as well as doctors and other health-care professionals.
Speaking on the occasion, the faculty of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Kasturba Medical College and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, highlighted the fact that people should never neglect any infection with fever, like urine, skin, or lungs. People should seek medical help as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading.
In preventing the spread of the infection, good hygiene practices like hand washing play a crucial role. Dr. Souvik Chaudhuri, chairman of the ISCCM Manipal branch; Dr. Sunil R., secretary; and Dr. Margi Bhatt, treasurer of the ISCCM Manipal branch, along with other key members of the ISCCM Manipal branch, mentioned the importance of early recognition of sepsis features to the general public and doctors. More than 100 people attended this program. The main aim is to carry forward this important initiative every year through various activities.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Komal Bhoi/MSM)
