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Sepsis without borders

18 July 2024
Volume 33 · Issue 14

Abstract

Sepsis is a global public health problem, accounting for 48.9 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide in 2020, with the highest burden felt in low-income countries (LICs) (World Health Organization (WHO), 2024a).

Sepsis is a global public health problem, accounting for 48.9 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide in 2020, with the highest burden felt in low-income countries (LICs) (World Health Organization (WHO), 2024a). The main challenge is that as a syndrome and not a disease, the range of signs and symptoms seen can make it difficult to diagnose in its early stages. In consequence, health professionals always need to rule out sepsis rather than rule it in, using the question ‘Could it be sepsis?’ (Sepsis Trust, 2024). This comment piece highlights the ongoing nature of the burden of sepsis, as countries continue to grapple with this global problem.

Over the past two decades, sepsis recognition and treatment has radically evolved and it is no longer regarded as a condition only seen in the intensive care unit (Kempker et al, 2018). Instead, it is accepted that sepsis transcends borders and, in consequence, strategies need to be developed with transferability to differing healthcare systems.

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