“Call an ambulance if the patient is critically ill. It is important to know that sepsis is something that causes organ damage, has sequelae, and has a high mortality rate,” said Professor Nakata (Photo: Afro). Severe aftereffects can occur. He also says that early detection and treatment can save many people. What symptoms should one suspect sepsis? “The symptoms listed on sepsis.com are: fever (38°C or higher), low body temperature (36°C or lower), rapid pulse (90 beats/minute or higher), rapid breathing (20 beats/minute or higher), strange behavior, general swelling, blood pressure lower than usual, and abnormally cold hands and feet. If you have two or more of these items, you should visit a medical institution.” Incidentally, is it dangerous for a person like Ichinose-san, who has been bitten and developed sepsis, to be bitten again?   “In the case of anaphylaxis, there is a mechanism whereby a person who has been bitten once will suffer a major anaphylaxis if he is bitten again, but I don’t think there is anything special about sepsis.” “However, sepsis is said to cause some aftereffects and impairments in cognitive function, motor function, the immune system, and other functions throughout the body, so there is a possibility that the patient could become infected again and develop sepsis.” If a patient has symptoms that are suspicious of sepsis, where should he or she go to see a doctor? “In the case of sepsis, early detection and early treatment is the most important thing, so I think it is best to visit a university hospital or a large general hospital.” “Just as it is dangerous to try to walk to the hospital in spite of a complete stroke, call an ambulance if the patient is seriously ill. Know that it is something that causes organ damage, has sequelae, and has a high mortality rate.” Takaaki Nakata, M.D., Ph. He graduated from Chiba University School of Medicine in 1999 and joined the Department of Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine at the same university. After working as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia School of Medicine, he will assume his current position in 2019.