Awareness campaign launched on sepsis-related fatalities in Ireland

DUBLIN, Ireland: Doctors across Ireland are raising awareness about sepsis, a life-threatening condition that has become one of the country's leading causes of death.

The Irish College of GPs (ICGP) has spearheaded the campaign, emphasizing the importance of recognizing sepsis symptoms early to save lives.

Dr. Diarmuid Quinlan, medical director of the ICGP, highlighted the gravity of the issue during an interview with RTE's Morning Ireland, noting that GPs are often the first to encounter patients showing signs of sepsis.

"Sepsis is responsible for over 3,000 deaths annually in Ireland, with more than 15,000 cases reported each year," Dr. Quinlan explained. "To put that into perspective, 30,000 people die in Ireland each year, meaning one in 10 deaths is due to sepsis."

The campaign aims to educate both healthcare professionals and the public about sepsis, particularly since it disproportionately affects people at the extremes of age - including infants, young children, and individuals over 75. Dr. Quinlan described sepsis as an abnormal and life-threatening immune response to an infection, most commonly originating in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, or abdomen.

"The symptoms of sepsis can be vague and nonspecific, making it crucial for people to recognize the warning signs and seek urgent medical attention," Dr. Quinlan added. "It affects not only the elderly but also people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, liver or heart disease, and those on immunosuppressant medications."

Dr. Quinlan also reflected on how sepsis gained national attention following the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar over a decade ago. Since then, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has focused significant resources on tackling sepsis in hospitals and, more recently, in general practice settings.

The HSE has supported the development of educational resources aimed at improving early detection and treatment of sepsis in primary care.

With Ireland's aging population, Dr. Quinlan warned that the number of people at risk of sepsis would only increase, underscoring the critical role of GPs in its early diagnosis. "There are unique challenges in detecting sepsis early, but also significant opportunities for GPs to intervene and save lives," he concluded.