Opelousas, La 9/3/2024 – In recognition of National Sepsis Awareness Month, Opelousas General Health System is hosting activities throughout the month to raise awareness and to educate the public about the importance of recognizing sepsis.
OGHS staff was instrumental in collaborating with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s office to successfully proclaim September 2024 Sepsis Awareness Month to bring awareness to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection.
On September 5, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at Main Campus on the first floor across from the cafeteria, information guides covering dozens of sepsis-related topics will be provided. OGHS will host a Sepsis Walk on September 13, which marks World Sepsis Day, around the Main Campus. This event will include a key message from Dr. Amer Raza, pulmonologist/critical care specialist. Dr. Raza works with patients in the intensive care unit and treats sepsis-related illnesses.
Sepsis occurs when chemicals released in the bloodstream to fight an infection trigger inflammation throughout the body. This can happen at home when scrapes, cuts, or injuries go untreated leading to bacterial infection. Symptoms include fever, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, fast heart rate, and mental confusion. Some people at higher risk for sepsis include older adults, pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune symptoms and chronic medical conditions.
Opelousas General Health System coordinated this initiative to empower patients to recognize early symptoms while it is easily treatable and before it becomes a life-threatening emergency.
