Sepsis

Description

Sepsis is a severe condition in which the body responds incorrectly to an infection. Those who fight against the infection processes of shift in the body, causing the organs to work poorly.

Sepsis can progress to septic shock. This is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can cause damage to the lungs, the kidneys, the liver and other organs. When the damage is severe, it can lead to death.

The early treatment of sepsis improves the chances of survival.

Symptoms

The symptoms of sepsis

The symptoms of sepsis may include:

  • Change in mental status.
  • A rapid and shallow breathing.
  • The sweating for no clear reason.
  • Feeling light-headed.
  • The chills.
  • Symptoms specific to the type of infection, such as painful urination is a urinary tract infection or worsening cough with pneumonia.

The symptoms of sepsis are non-specific. That can vary from person to person, and sepsis may appear differently in children than in adults.

Symptoms of septic shock

Sepsis can progress to septic shock. Septic shock is a severe drop in blood pressure. The progression of septic shock increases the risk of death. Symptoms of septic shock are:

  • Not be able to stand.
  • Strong drowsiness or difficulty staying awake.
  • The main changes in mental status, such as the extreme confusion.

When to see a doctor

Any infection can lead to sepsis. To go to a health care provider if you have symptoms of sepsis or an infection or a wound that is not getting better.

Symptoms such as confusion, or rapid breathing may need emergency care.

Causes

Any type of infection can lead to sepsis. This includes bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. The most common cause of sepsis include infections of the:

  • The lungs, such as pneumonia.
  • Of the kidneys, bladder and other parts of the urinary system.
  • The digestive system.
  • Bloodstream.
  • Catheter sites.
  • Wounds or burns.

Risk factors

Some factors that increase the risk of infection lead to sepsis include:

  • People over 65 years of age.
  • Childhood.
  • People with lower immune response, such as those receiving treatment for cancer or people with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • People with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Admission to the intensive care unit or longer stays in the hospital.
  • The devices that are in the body, such as catheters into the vein, called intravenous, or breathing tubes.
  • Treatment with antibiotics in the last 90 days.
  • A condition that requires treatment with corticosteroids, which may reduce the immune response.

Complications

As sepsis worsens, the vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, it does not receive as much blood as they should. Sepsis can cause atypical of the coagulation of the blood. The resulting small clots or blood vessels that can damage or destroy the tissue.

Most people recover from mild sepsis, but the mortality rate for septic shock is approximately 30% to 40%. Also, an episode of severe sepsis increases the risk of future infections.

Sepsis

Diagnosis

Doctors often order several tests to try to identify underlying infection.

Blood tests

The blood samples used for the test:

  • Evidence of infection.
  • Blood clotting problems.
  • Abnormal liver or renal function.
  • Lower levels of oxygen that the body needs.
  • Electrolyte imbalances.

Other laboratory tests

Other laboratory tests to find the source of the infection can include samples of:

  • Of the urine.
  • The wound fluid.
  • The mucus and saliva of the respiratory tract.

Imaging tests

If the site of the infection is not easy to find, your doctor may order more tests. Some examples of imaging tests are:

  • X-ray. X-rays can show infections in the lungs.
  • Ultrasound. This machine uses sound waves to produce real-time images on a video screen. The ultrasound can show the infections of the gallbladder and the kidneys.
  • The computed tomography (CT). This machine takes X-rays from a variety of angles and combines them to show cross-sectional slices of the body's interior. Infections in the liver, the pancreas, or other abdominal organs are easier to see in the computed tomography (CT).
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This machine uses radio waves and a strong magnet to produce a cross-section or 3D images. Can be useful in seeing or soft tissue infections of the bones.

Treatment

Early, thorough treatment increases the likelihood of recovery. People who have sepsis need close monitoring and treatment in a hospital intensive care unit. This is due to the fact that people with sepsis may need lifesaving measures to stabilize breathing and heart action.

Drugs

Different medications used in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock. They include:

  • Antibiotics. The antibiotic treatment begins as soon as possible. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, which are effective against a variety of bacteria, is often used for the first time. When the results of the tests show that the germ is causing the infection, the first antibiotic may get switched out for a second. This second one of the objectives of the germ causing the infection.
  • Fluids added to the veins. The use of intravenous fluids begins as soon as possible.
  • Vasopressors. Vasopressors narrows the blood vessels and helps to increase the blood pressure. A vasopressor medication may be used if blood pressure is too low, even after the reception of the fluids.

Other medications may be used, such as insulin for blood sugar levels in the blood, or pain relievers.

Supportive care

People who have sepsis often get the attention of support that includes oxygen. Some people may need a machine to help them breathe. If a person's kidneys do not work as well because of the infection, the person may need dialysis.

Surgery

The surgery can help to eliminate the sources of infection, such as pus in the tissues of infected or dead tissue.

Symptoms and treatment of Sepsis