Only 12% of U.S. Adults Know the Most Common Symptoms of Sepsis, a Life-Threatening Condition that Takes a Life Every 2 Minutes

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Released to mark Sepsis Awareness Month in September, Sepsis Alliance's annual sepsis awareness survey, conducted by Radius Global Market Research, reveals awareness of the condition reaches a new high with 65% of U.S. adults reporting they have heard the term sepsis, compared to 44% four years ago. On the contrary, the survey results also show that sepsis symptoms are not well known and there is a lack of urgency in seeking medical attention, despite sepsis taking more than 270,000 lives a year in the U.S.

Mortality from sepsis, the body's life-threatening reaction to an infection, increases by as much as 8% for every hour that treatment is delayed. As many as 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment. Yet while 3 in 4 people strongly agree it's important to respond urgently to signs of a stroke, only half would do the same for signs of sepsis – despite it being twice as common and deadly as stroke. That's why Sepsis Alliance created It's About TIME™.

It's About TIME™ is a national initiative to drive broader sepsis awareness and emphasize the urgent need to seek treatment when there are signs and symptoms of sepsis. TIME is an easy to remember acronym of the key signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Temperature – Higher or lower than normal
• Infection – May have signs and symptoms of an infection
• Mental decline – Confused, sleepy, difficult to rouse
• Extremely ill – "I feel like I might die," severe pain or discomfort

"We are very proud of the work Sepsis Alliance has done to increase awareness, reaching 16 million more adults in the span of a year," said Thomas Heymann, President and Executive Director of Sepsis Alliance. "But our work isn't done. The It's About TIME™ initiative will not only help us reach increased awareness of sepsis, but also increased knowledge of the signs and symptoms so people know when to seek medical attention."

Sepsis Alliance has partnered with 11-year-old Angelica Hale, America's Got Talent finalist and sepsis survivor, to spread awareness of this initiative.

On September 13th, Angelica will receive the Erin Kay Flatley Spirit Award at the 7th Annual Sepsis Heroes gala. This award recognizes Angelica for using her voice, as a Sepsis Celebrity Advocate, to help raise awareness of this deadly illness. At the gala, Angelica will perform an original new song "No Time to Waste," an anthem she wrote that embodies her experience surviving sepsis.

"It was such an amazing experience to write and record my new song and knowing that it was about my personal journey surviving sepsis made it so much more special," said Angelica. "Music helped pull me through my time in the hospital and helped me to recover. I want this anthem to help others make it through difficult times in their lives."

To learn more about sepsis and the It's About TIME™ national initiative, visit www.SepsisItsAboutTime.org. The 2018 Sepsis Awareness survey results can be found at https://www.sepsis.org/2018-sepsis-awareness-survey/.

Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted online within the United States by Radius Global Market Research on behalf of Sepsis Alliance between May 5 – May 8, 2018, among more than 2,000 adults living in the U.S. The results were weighted to the U.S. census for age, gender, region, and income. Surveys were conducted in English.

About Sepsis Alliance:
Sepsis Alliance is the leading sepsis organization in the U.S., working in all 50 states to save lives and reduce suffering by raising awareness of sepsis as a medical emergency. Sepsis Alliance is a charitable organization run by a dedicated team that shares a strong commitment to battling sepsis. In 2011, Sepsis Alliance designated September as Sepsis Awareness Month to bring healthcare professional and community members together in the fight against sepsis. The organization was founded in 2007 by Carl Flatley, DDS, MSD, whose daughter Erin unnecessarily died of sepsis when she was 23 years old. Sepsis Alliance gives a voice to the millions of people who have been touched by sepsis – to the survivors, and the friends and family members of those who have survived or who have died. For more information, please visit www.sepsis.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter at @SepsisAlliance.

Media Relations Contact
Sepsis Alliance
Angelica Estrada
Tel: 619-232-0300
[email protected]

SOURCE Sepsis Alliance