“The Real Housewives of Orange County” star Vicki Gunvalson, 62, spoke out about her recent health scare after being hospitalized with sepsis, a deadly illness that results from the body's response to infection.
“This health scare came unannounced, without any warning,” Gunvalson told Fox News Digital.
With Sepsis Awareness Month starting this September, Gunvalson's timely story helps raise awareness of the disease.
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“Sepsis awareness can and does save lives, yet only 65 percent of American adults have ever heard of sepsis,” Serena A. Gill, clinical professor and associate dean at New York University's Rory Myers College of Nursing, told Fox News Digital.
Jill sits on the advisory board of the Sepsis Alliance, a California-based organization that works across the country to reduce suffering from sepsis.
Statistics show that sepsis claims the lives of 350,000 American adults each year and is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals. (iStock)
“Rapid recognition and treatment are critical to prevent severe illness and death,” Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.
Gunvalson's diagnosis
Gunvalson detailed her sepsis diagnosis to Fox News Digital.
“Two weeks ago, I was walking into the office feeling very disoriented and unsure of where I was going,” Gunvalson said in an email.
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“When I entered the office, the staff noticed I looked different,” she continued, “and the assistant thought I might be having a stroke.”
The emergency room diagnosed Gunvalson with a “sinus issue” and sent her home, but by the next morning she was “extremely disorganized” and her boyfriend took her back to the hospital.
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” star Vicki Gunvalson, 62, spoke out about her recent health scare after being hospitalized with sepsis, a deadly illness that results from the body's response to infection. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
“I was in hospital for six days with sepsis and pneumonia,” she said.
Gunvalson was treated with antibiotics and is now recovering at home, staying in regular contact with the hospital's sepsis team.
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The reality TV star said she is experiencing memory loss and difficulty concentrating, but is hopeful the “brain fog” will improve with time.
In retrospect, Gunvalson said, the sepsis may have been caused by a sinus infection two months earlier that had been treated with multiple courses of antibiotics.
Symptoms and dangers
Gill said common symptoms of sepsis include fever, chills, rapid heart rate, confusion, shortness of breath, severe pain and skin rashes and sweats.
Glatt added that if you have a high fever, especially if you are at high risk of infection and feel very unwell, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
“Sepsis awareness can and does save lives, yet only 65% of American adults have ever heard of sepsis.”
“Fatigue and lethargy during infection can be signs of pneumonia or sepsis, even in the absence of obvious pulmonary symptoms.” Dr. Mark SiegelThe Fox News senior medical analyst and clinical professor of medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center told Fox News Digital:
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Because sepsis can begin within hours, Gill suggested following the “TIME” acronym to remember that time is crucial when receiving treatment.
T – Temperature (above or below normal)
I – Infection (know the signs and symptoms)
M – Decreased mental function (confusion, drowsiness, difficulty waking up)
E – Very bad (severe pain, discomfort, shortness of breath)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.7 million adults in the United States are diagnosed with sepsis each year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.7 million adults in the United States are diagnosed with sepsis each year. (iStock)
Gill noted that the disease kills 350,000 American adults each year and is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals.
According to CDC data, cancer is the third leading cause of death after heart disease (which kills just over 700,000 people each year) and cancer (which kills more than 600,000 people each year).
“Sepsis takes one life every 90 seconds – more than lives lost to opioids, breast cancer, prostate cancer and stroke combined,” she said.
Common misconceptions about sepsis
Many people mistakenly believe that sepsis is an infection.
“Sepsis is the body's overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death,” Gill said.
This condition can occur after abrasions, cuts, dental treatment or surgery, or even [bacteria]Infections such as bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections can cause a “chain reaction” in the body, the doctor added.
Treatment of sepsis depends on the underlying infection, but often involves administering antibiotics as soon as possible. (iStock)
Another common misconception is that sepsis only occurs in people who are (or have recently been) hospitalized.
The majority of sepsis cases, about 87 percent, start before a patient is admitted to hospital, Gill said.
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“Community-acquired infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and even simple cuts and scrapes can lead to sepsis if not treated properly,” Gill noted.
Many people think that sepsis only occurs in people with weakened immune systems.
Elderly people, infants, and people with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems are at higher risk of sepsis. (iStock)
“Sepsis can happen to anyone at any time,” Glatt says.
“Certain individuals are at higher risk of contracting severe infections that can be fatal, but serious infections can also occur in perfectly healthy young people and, although rare, can have fatal outcomes,” he continued.
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However, older adults, infants and people with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
Treatment and prevention
According to the CDC, the first step is to find the underlying cause of the infection.
Sepsis often begins in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, skin, or urinary tract.
“Sepsis is the body's overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death,” the doctor said. (iStock)
Treatment will depend on the underlying infection, but often requires antibiotics to be administered as soon as possible.
“Antibiotics are essential to treat the underlying bacterial infection, but managing sepsis also requires fluids, medication to support blood pressure, and sometimes surgery or other treatments. [a ventilator]It depends on the severity,” Gill said.
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The CDC says surgery may be needed to remove tissue damaged by the infection.
In many cases, it is also important to keep the blood flowing to the organs by staying hydrated.
“Sepsis can happen to anyone at any time.”
“If you suspect you have sepsis, see a doctor immediately,” Gill advised.
Doctors say the risk can be reduced by quickly identifying and managing infections.
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“It can also be prevented by practicing good hygiene, getting regular vaccinations, staying healthy, keeping cuts clean and dry and seeking prompt treatment for any suspected infection,” he added.
