Public urged to take sepsis seriously amid rising deaths

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Sepsis is silently killing thousands of Ugandans, and most people don’t even know it exists, warns Prof Robert Kalyesubula, a consultant nephrologist from Makerere University.

Prof Kalyesubula revealed that one in every three patients admitted to Uganda’s intensive care units (ICUs) is suffering from the condition. Even more concerning, he added, is that 30% of people presented at emergency units are diagnosed with sepsis.

Speaking during a sensitisation campaign at Nakawa Division Hall on April 10, 2025, Kalyesubula described sepsis as a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection causes damage to its own tissues and organs. If not recognised and treated quickly, it can lead to organ failure and death.

He stressed that awareness and prevention are critical, warning that Sepsis is highly lethal, and it is everyone’s responsibility to be aware of it.

“We can stop sepsis by ensuring that we are hygienic by washing our hands before eating anything or after visiting the toilets, improving the garbage disposal, stool disposal, and good sanitation practices, among others,” Kalyesubula said.

He explained that sepsis is associated with high mortality and morbidity, noting that many people fall ill and die due to the body’s reaction to infections.

Kalyesubula said infections come in many forms—including bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal—and that while the body’s response, called inflammation, is helpful in fighting infection, it can also cause damage when uncontrolled.

“When a person goes into shock, the body might not be in a position to maintain the vital functions like blood pressure, temperature and this sometimes leads to death,” Kalyesubula said.

He urged the public to use antibiotics properly, noting that not every fever is sepsis.

“If a doctor is going to work on you and they say that you have an infection, let them explain what type of infection that you have because there are many types of infections, and some of them do not need the use of antibiotics.

If we continue misusing the antibiotics, we shall get what is termed as antibiotic resistance, where some drugs may not work on our bodies, and this promotes sepsis,” Kalyesubula said, adding that when one is called upon to get vaccinated, we should rush to get vaccinated.

Kalyesubula said that sepsis often presents as fever, general weakness, reduced consciousness, muscle aches, or difficulty in breathing. He added that the infection usually enters the body through natural openings like the nose, ears, and anus.

Citing a recent study conducted by paediatricians, Kalyesubula said 17% of neonates—roughly one in five—may develop sepsis, with many cases resulting in death. He added that people over 60 years, pregnant women, and those living with chronic conditions are particularly vulnerable to infections that may progress to sepsis.

“These people can go into septic shock because their immune systems are weak and are not in position to contain these infections and can end up causing death,” Kalyesubula said, adding that it is very important that people get to know that sepsis is a silent killer.

Kalyesubula also revealed that 4.7 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are living with sepsis, though the majority are unaware they have it, underscoring the need for greater public sensitisation.

“About 13.7 million people across the World are living with Sepsis and in sub–Saharan Africa where Uganda is located, 4.7 million people are living with Sepsis and have died from it,” Kalyesubula said, adding that of the people who present to outpatient health centres, 20% have infections and are at risk of developing sepsis.