All About Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that results when the body's immune system reacts excessively to an infection, causing organ dysfunction, a potentially fatal illness. The body's reaction damages its own tissues and organs, and if it is not promptly recognized and managed right away, it may result in shock, multiple organ failure, and even death. Keep reading to learn more about the causes, symptoms, prevention, and complications of sepsis, as well as how it’s treated.

What is Sepsis & How is It Caused?

Sepsis is the body's severe systemic response to infection. It occurs when your immune system extreme response to an infection and starts to harm your body's own tissues and organs. It is a medical emergency that could be serious. Sepsis results when an infection you already have sets off a series of events throughout your body. Sepsis commonly arises from infections in the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, or skin. Without timely medical intervention, it can quickly escalate, causing tissue injury, organ dysfunction, and possibly death.

 

Any serious and uncontrolled infection has the potential to cause sepsis. While bacterial infections are the most common cause, sepsis can also develop from viral or fungal infections, including illnesses such as the flu and COVID-19. The most common causes are:

 

• Infections of the abdomen, stomach, or bloodstream
• Pneumonia
• Infections of the bladder or urinary tract
• Non-infectious injuries, such as large burns or wounds

 

 Signs & Symptoms of Sepsis

Common signs and symptoms include:

• High fever, chills, or shivering
• Fast or heavy breathing
• Mental confusion or feeling disoriented
• Difficulty breathing
• Cold, sweaty, or clammy skin
• Severe pain or discomfort throughout the body
• Increased heart rate, weak pulse, or low blood pressure
• Appearance of a rash on the skin
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
  
  
  

 Risk Factors of Sepsis

Various risk factors associated with sepsis, include:

• Age: Younger child or elderly (age greater than 65 years)
• Chronic health conditions like lung, liver, or kidney disease
• A weakened immune system, such as in individuals receiving chemotherapy for cancer or those with conditions like HIV or leukemia (a cancer affecting blood cells)
• Poorly managed or uncontrolled diabetes
• Taking certain drugs for a long period of time, like corticosteroids
• Recent surgery
• Being in intensive care units (ICUs) or exposed to invasive equipment, such as breathing tubes or intravenous catheters
• Who are on mechanical ventilation
• In pregnant women

 

 

How to Prevent & Treat Sepsis

 

 

Prevention of sepsis

It involves preventing infections that can lead to sepsis. Always remember to talk to your healthcare provider about steps you can take to prevent infections that can lead to sepsis. You can do the following:

• Take care of any infections. If they do not improve or appear to be getting worse, get medical attention immediately.
  
  
• Properly manage chronic conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and cancer.
  
  
• Talk to your healthcare provider about the vaccines that can prevent or lessen the severity of certain diseases that might cause sepsis, so get the recommended ones.
  
  
• Practice good hygiene, like keeping hands clean or keeping cuts and wounds clean and covered until healed.

Treatment of Sepsis

Sepsis require treatment in hospital straight away because it can get worse quickly.

As quickly as feasible, medical professionals should administer antibiotics to treat sepsis. A quick, efficient sepsis treatment include:

·         Administering the right medication, such as antibiotics, as soon as possible

·         Oxygen

·         Insulin to stabilize blood sugar

·         Pain relievers to manage discomfort

·         Intravenous fluids to preserve organ blood

·         Surgery may occasionally be necessary to remove infection-damaged tissue.

 Complications of Sepsis

• Failure of the kidney
• Dead tissue (gangrene) in fingers and toes that needs to be surgically removed (amputation).
• Damage to the heart, brain, and lungs
• An increased likelihood of recurring infections
• Septic shock (severe complication of sepsis) that increases the risk of mortality
  
  
  

Conclusion
 

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency which causes the immune system to attack tissues and leads to inflammation and potential organ damage. Sepsis can be deadly if not treated promptly, with severe complications including gangrene, multiple organ failure, and amputations. Always remember to take immediate action if you or a loved one has an infection that is worsening or not improving. Seek medical attention right away and check with your healthcare provider if a particular infection could be leading to sepsis.

 

If you have any questions related to sepsis or its complications, you can check with our physician at Ask a doctor, 24x7.