September is Sepsis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. Sepsis affects 1.7 million people and claims 350,000 adult lives in the U.S. annually. This month, we join healthcare professionals, survivors, and advocates in spreading the word about the importance of early detection and treatment.
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death if not promptly treated. Common symptoms include fever, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and confusion. Early recognition and treatment are crucial to improving outcomes.
Credit: https://www.sepsis.org/sepsis-basics/symptoms/
The Role of the UF Sepsis and Critical Illness Research Center (SCIRC)
Located at the University of Florida, the Sepsis and Critical Illness Research Center (SCIRC) is at the forefront of sepsis research. SCIRC is the first center of its kind in the nation, focusing on long-term outcomes for patients treated for sepsis in intensive care units. Our mission is to develop clinical solutions for sepsis and related illnesses, addressing both immediate and long-term health challenges.
Current Research Initiatives at SCIRC
SCIRC’s research spans various innovative projects aimed at understanding and combating sepsis:
- Immune Function Testing: Researchers are developing and optimizing a diluted whole blood ELISpot assay to test immune function, which could lead to better diagnostic tools and treatments.
- Gut Dysbiosis and Pathobiome: Studies are examining the persistence and sexual dimorphism of gut dysbiosis and pathobiome after sepsis and trauma, providing insights into how sepsis affects the gut microbiome differently in men and women.
- Temporal Changes in Immunity: Investigations into the temporal changes in innate and adaptive immunity during sepsis are helping to identify critical windows for intervention.
- Transcriptomic Differences: Research on transcriptomic differences in peripheral monocyte populations in septic patients is uncovering how genetic expression varies based on patient outcomes, potentially leading to personalized treatment approaches.
- Precision and Personalized Medicine: in the realm of sepsis, trauma, burn and critical care.
How You Can Get Involved
Sepsis Awareness Month is an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the fight against sepsis. Here are some ways you can help:
- Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the signs and symptoms of sepsis and share this information with your community. To learn more about sepsis, please listen to our CME Podcast: https://innovation.ufhealth.org/podcasts/?segitem=63094.
- Support Research: Consider donating or becoming involved with organizations like SCIRC that are dedicated to finding solutions for sepsis. Supporting research inquiries can be sent to Amanda Reifenrath, SCIRC Program Manager, at : Amanda.Reifenrath@surgery.ufl.edu .
- Participate in our local SCIRC’s Sepsis Awareness Month Events:
- Get Involved with Our Research as a Healthy Control Participant. To learn more about participating in research, please visit: https://scirc.med.ufl.edu/2024/07/01/get-involved-participate-in-research-healthy-control-recruitment/ or email us at: SRG-SCRIC@ad.ufl.edu.
- Participate in Global Events: Join events like the Sepsis Superhero Challenge to raise awareness and honor those affected by sepsis.
By spreading awareness and supporting research, we can help reduce the impact of sepsis and save lives. Let’s make this Sepsis Awareness Month a time of education, action, and hope.
We hope you are able to join us for our upcoming Sepsis Awareness 5K and World Sepsis Day Atrium Table!
Feel free to share this article on your website to help raise awareness about sepsis and the critical research being conducted at SCIRC!