Farmers Urged to be Aware of Sepsis Risks
By Dr Louise MacLarty, RSABI Health Hut team
Farmers are quick to spot when something isn’t ‘quite right’ with livestock or machinery, because experience tells you that small problems can soon become major ones and taking early action can prevent lost time, money and heartache. Yet many are far less likely to seek help when it comes to early warning signs about their own health.
During my time as a GP, I’ve seen countless people who were feeling unwell with all kinds of infections. Clinical examination, observations and test results can tell you a great deal about how ill someone is, but experience has taught me that it’s not always that straightforward. If something doesn’t quite fit, or if a person simply seems ‘not quite right’ – looking or behaving differently from their normal, despite what appears to be a relatively minor illness, it’s worth paying attention to that gut feeling and trusting your instincts.
Nowhere is that truer than with sepsis. It can present in many different ways and isn’t always dramatic or immediately recognisable. Very young children, older adults and those with other health conditions may not immediately develop the “classic” symptoms you might expect to see. When it comes to sepsis, recognising these signs early and acting quickly could, quite literally, save a life.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body’s response to an infection becomes out of control, causing damage to its own tissues and organs. It can develop from almost any infection, although chest infections, urinary tract infections and skin infections are among the most common causes. It may also follow viral or fungal infections and, occasionally, even a seemingly minor cut, scrape or injury.
In the UK, sepsis affects around quarter of a million people a year, claiming around 48000 lives a year.
If treatment is started early, many will recover from sepsis. However, there are still risks of longer-term issues such as chronic fatigue, low mood and muscle weakness and in severe cases, organ damage and limb loss.
When to suspect sepsis? confusion
Sepsis can appear very suddenly or can develop gradually and may even begin with very common symptoms such as feeling like you have a cold, feeling achy or tired. If you suspect an infection, call 111 or your GP for advice.
However, if you or a loved one feels unwell and develop any of the symptoms in the lists below, this should never be ignored, and urgent medical help should be sought by calling 999 or going direct to A&E. Minutes matter when it comes to sepsis.
ADULTS
Slurred speech/confusion
Extreme shivering /muscle pain
Passing no urine (in a day)
Severe breathlessness
It feels like you’re going to die
Skin mottled or discoloured.
CHILDREN
Fast breathing
Fit or convulsion
Mottled, pale or blue skin
A rash that doesn’t fade if pressed
Difficult to wake or very tired
Feels cold to touch
Why is the agricultural community at risk?
Anyone can be affected by sepsis. Those most vulnerable are the elderly, very young and those with other underlying health conditions or recent illness and surgery.
However, farmers are exposed to occupational hazards which can increase their risk. Cuts, bruises and scrapes are accepted as part of everyday life in farming. Regular exposure to soil, slurry and manure increases the chances of infection while the demands of farming often mean that seeking medical advice is delayed. For those working in more remote areas, longer journeys and reduced access to urgent health care can add further delays. Together, these factors can increase the risk of infection spreading to sepsis.
It is important to reduce the risk of infection by working as safely as possible and taking good care of any injuries. Wash all cuts, grazes and breaks in the skin thoroughly as soon as possible, cover them with a clean dressing and keep them clean and dry until they have healed. Keep an eye on bruises and wounds for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain or discharge. If you think you may be developing an infection, or if a wound is getting worse rather than better, seek medical advice promptly
The UK Sepsis Trust (www.sepsistrust.org) provides excellent information and practical resources. Their website has a simple Sepsis Assessment Tool designed to help you decide what to do if you are worried about yourself or someone else who may be unwell.
The key message, tying in with Sepsis Awareness Month in September, is simple: the earlier sepsis is recognised and treated, the better the chance of a full recovery. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Trust your instincts – its always worth getting some advice.