Sepsis

This health condition commonly happens when the immune system (the body’s defense) has a dangerous reaction to an infection. Thus, it provokes extensive inflammation throughout your body. Sepsis can cause tissue damage, organ failure, or even death. There are different types of infections that can provoke sepsis and it is considered a medical emergency. As a result, as soon you receive the treatment as better your result you will get.

What is Sepsis?

This is a life-threatening disease that occurs due to your body’s stunning response to infections. Therefore, if you do not receive urgent treatment, it may lead to organ failure or even death.

In normal circumstances, your immune system works by trying to fight the infection that enters your body. However, in some cases, your body’s defense can attack its own cells instead of fighting the infection. This effect causes inflammation to spread throughout your body. Additionally, organ failure happens usually due to blood clots caused by abnormal chain reactions in your clotting system.

Sepsis is classified by healthcare professionals into three stages. For example sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. In most cases, septic shock and sepsis lead to organ failure and even death.

Moreover, about 1.7 million people suffer from this condition in the U.S. each year. Additionally, this condition is more common in people after 65 years old.

Symptoms

Sepsis can negatively affect different parts of your body, which makes possible the occurrence of many symptoms. Sepsis rash may appear in case an infection (blood poisoning or septicemia) triggers the condition. This rash makes your skin look red and discolored. You can also observe small dark-red spots on the skin. Check below for other common sepsis symptoms:

• Reduced energy
• Weakness
• Increased heart rate
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Hypothermia (low body temperature)
• Fever
• Shaking
• Chills
• Urinating problems
• Warm, clammy, or sweaty skin
• Agitation
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath (rapid breathing)
• Severe discomfort or pain

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or both of them at the same time, immediately contact your healthcare professional.

Causes

Unfortunately, different factors can provoke sepsis. However, one of the most common causes is bacterial infections. Moreover, this health condition may also occur due to fungal, parasitic, and viral infections. Additionally, sepsis may also appear when an infection triggers a reaction throughout your body, which provokes organ failure.

This is a condition that may begin in different parts of your body. Check below some common types of infections and sites where sepsis starts:

• Respiratory system (such as pneumonia)
• Urinary tract infections
• Gastrointestinal system (including appendicitis, bowel problems, peritonitis, gallbladder or liver infections, and others)
• Central nervous system (infections of the brain or spinal cord)
• Skin (such as cellulitis, inflammation, and others)

In addition, this condition is not contagious and cannot be spread to other people. However, infections that provoke sepsis can spread to others.

Diagnosis

Early diagnosis and treatment of the infection can help to prevent or avoid sepsis. Thus, physicians use different tests that will help to identify the infection. For example physical examination, laboratory tests (such as blood test), X-rays, and others. Healthcare providers may use a tool called quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) to determine whether you have sepsis or not. As a result, in case you have at least two of the criteria listed below, you may have sepsis or infection.

• Glasgow coma scale – This scale helps to check your consciousness level. In case you have a score of 15 or less, it may mean that you have an infection or sepsis.
• High respiratory rate – If your respiratory rate is faster than 22 times per minute.
• Low blood pressure (hypotension) – In case the systolic number is less than 100 mmHg (the top number).

Your physician may order you to do some additional tests, to verify any organ damage or dysfunction. Examples include:

• Blood tests – complete blood count (CBC) will help to verify the abnormal function of the liver, kidneys, and others.
• Urine tests – Urinalysis and urine culture
• Imaging tests – CT scans
• Blood oxygen level

Treatment

Once you are diagnosed with this health condition, the treatment should be started immediately. In most cases, physicians place patients with sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital. Check below some treatment options:

• IV (Intravenous) Fluids – Certain fluids are used to keep control of healthy blood flow to your organs, which also help to prevent hypotension.
• Vasopressor Medicines – Tablets that are usually used to tighten your blood vessels that also help to reach healthy blood pressure.
• Antibiotics – These drugs are used to treat bacterial infections.
• Supportive Care – Some treatments may need some changes if an organ fails. For example dialysis for kidney failure and mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure.
• Surgery – It is commonly used when medicines and other therapies are not enough to remove damaged tissues.

In case you suspect you have sepsis or any infection, consult with your healthcare provider.

How Can I Prevent Sepsis?

There are some steps that may help in preventing sepsis. Check below some examples:

• Try to keep clean your wounds and cuts and cover them until healing.
• Wash your hands regularly, especially before a meal.
• Keep up to date on advised vaccines.
• Get medical care for any existing chronic diseases.
• If you think you have an infection, immediately contact your physician.

For more details, talk with your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the long-term complications of sepsis?

Usually, those who follow a suitable treatment recover completely and return to their normal lives. However, some people may develop some unpleasant complications. For example:

• Panic attacks
• Sleeping disturbances (insomnia)
• Reduced cognitive functioning (including remembering, learning, concentrating, making decisions, and others)
• Organ failure
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nightmares or hallucinations

Furthermore, after treatment is done, you should be careful and make sure that you do not have any new infections. Once you are diagnosed with sepsis, you are at higher risk of developing it once again due to certain new infections.

How long does it take to die from sepsis?

If you experience a septic shock, death may occur in roughly 12 hours.

What are the 3 main symptoms of sepsis?

Commonly, people who experience this condition notice the following symptoms. Examples include:

• Decreased body temperature or fever (caused by hypothermia)
• Lightheadedness (often due to low blood pressure)
• Rapid heartbeat

In case you experience any of these symptoms, immediately seek medical attention.