Why you should read this article:

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To enhance your awareness of sepsis as a cause of mortality in people with learning disabilities

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To remind yourself of the life-threatening nature of sepsis and the vital need for prompt recognition

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To prompt you to contribute to raise awareness of sepsis in the learning disability community

In sepsis, prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment are vital to avoid deterioration, organ failure and death. Sepsis is challenging to recognise because there is no one single presenting sign and because it may initially present similarly to conditions such as influenza, gastroenteritis or a chest infection. Sepsis has been shown to be an important cause of mortality in people with learning disabilities, in whom recognising sepsis in a timely manner presents its own challenges. Improving awareness of sepsis in the learning disability community, including by providing easy-read information on this life-threatening condition, is important to assist in reducing the number of avoidable deaths from sepsis among people with learning disabilities. This article discusses sepsis in people with learning disabilities and describes a leaflet developed as part of a student assignment at De Montfort University to inform people with learning disabilities about sepsis.