Sepsis

Sepsis is a dangerous health problem that happens when your body overreacts to an infection. Your body's natural defenses, meant to fight the infection, actually start attacking your own healthy tissues and organs. This can lead to them not working properly.

Sepsis can get worse and turn into septic shock. In septic shock, your blood pressure drops suddenly and significantly. This sudden drop can harm vital organs like your lungs, kidneys, liver, and others. If the damage is severe enough, it can be life-threatening.

Getting treatment for sepsis as soon as possible greatly increases your chances of survival.

Sepsis: Recognizing the Signs

Sepsis is a serious illness caused by an infection that triggers a harmful response from the body. Recognizing the signs is crucial for getting prompt treatment. Symptoms of sepsis can be diverse and may not be obvious to everyone. Here are some common signs:

• Changes in alertness or how you think: This could mean feeling confused, disoriented, or even drowsy. You might have trouble concentrating or remembering things.
• Fast or shallow breathing: Your breathing might be quicker than usual, and you might feel like you can't get enough air.
• Excessive sweating without a reason: This could be sweating even when you're not hot or exercising.
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy: You might feel like you're about to faint or lose your balance.
• Shivering or chills: This is a sign that your body is trying to fight the infection, but it could be a symptom of sepsis.
• Symptoms related to the infection site: If you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), you might experience pain or burning when you urinate. If you have pneumonia, your cough might worsen. These are examples of symptoms that are tied to the type of infection causing the sepsis. The specific symptoms depend on where the infection is located in your body.

It's important to remember that sepsis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and even between children and adults. What one person experiences might be different from what another experiences. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they've recently had an infection, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to improving outcomes.

Sepsis can develop from any infection. If you have an infection, a wound that isn't healing, or any symptoms of illness, see a doctor or other healthcare professional right away.

Some symptoms, like being confused or having very fast breathing, require immediate medical attention. This is a serious situation and needs urgent care.

Sepsis is a serious illness that can happen when an infection gets out of control in the body. Many different types of infections can trigger sepsis, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Some of the most common infections that lead to sepsis are:

• Lung infections (like pneumonia): When the lungs become infected, the infection can spread to the rest of the body.
• Kidney, bladder, and urinary tract infections: Infections in these parts of the body can release harmful substances into the bloodstream, potentially causing sepsis.
• Digestive system infections: Infections in the stomach, intestines, or other parts of the digestive system can lead to sepsis.
• Bloodstream infections (bacteremia): A bloodstream infection is when bacteria enter the bloodstream directly. This is a very serious condition and a common cause of sepsis.
• Infections at catheter sites: Catheters are tubes that are sometimes inserted into the body for medical reasons. If an infection develops near or around a catheter, it can spread quickly.
• Infections from wounds or burns: Open wounds and burns provide entry points for bacteria to enter the body. If these bacteria multiply, they can cause sepsis.

Essentially, any infection that spreads and causes the body's immune system to react strongly can lead to sepsis. It's important to seek medical attention quickly if you suspect an infection, especially if you experience symptoms like fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, or difficulty breathing.

Sepsis is a serious illness that can be triggered by several factors. Certain groups of people are more likely to develop sepsis. These include:

• Older adults (age 65 and over): As we age, our bodies' ability to fight off infections can weaken, making older adults more vulnerable to sepsis.

• Babies and young infants: Infants have immune systems that are still developing, making them more susceptible to infections that can lead to sepsis.

• People with weakened immune systems: Conditions like cancer treatment or HIV weaken the body's natural defenses against infection. This makes these individuals more prone to sepsis if they become infected.

• People with chronic diseases: Conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can make it harder for the body to fight infections. These conditions can also make infections more severe, increasing the risk of sepsis.

• Hospital stays, especially in intensive care: Being hospitalized, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), increases the risk of sepsis. This is because of the presence of germs and the use of medical devices. Long hospital stays further raise the risk.

• Medical devices: Certain medical devices, such as intravenous (IV) catheters or breathing tubes, provide entry points for bacteria to enter the bloodstream and trigger an infection that can lead to sepsis.

• Recent antibiotic use: Taking antibiotics recently can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the body, potentially making a person more susceptible to a serious infection and sepsis.

• Use of corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat various conditions. However, they can suppress the immune system, making the body less able to fight off infections and increasing the risk of sepsis.

Understanding these risk factors can help healthcare providers identify individuals who are more susceptible to sepsis and take steps to prevent it.

When sepsis gets worse, important organs like the brain, heart, and kidneys don't get enough blood. This lack of blood flow can lead to problems. Sepsis can also cause unusual blood clotting. These small clots or broken blood vessels can harm or destroy the tissues in the body.

Many people recover from a mild case of sepsis. However, if sepsis becomes severe enough to cause septic shock, the risk of death is around 30% to 40%. Furthermore, having severe sepsis increases the chance of getting sick again in the future.

Doctors use various tests to find the cause of an infection.

Blood tests can check for:

To pinpoint the infection's source, other lab tests might look at:

If the location of the infection isn't clear, your doctor may order more tests. These might include:

• Signs of infection in your blood, such as problems with how your blood clots, or issues with your liver or kidneys. Low oxygen levels and electrolyte problems in your blood can also be signs of infection.

• Urine samples.

• Fluid from any sores or wounds.

• Samples of mucus and saliva from your lungs or breathing passages.

• X-rays: X-rays can show if there's an infection in your lungs. They're like a picture of your bones and some soft tissues.

• Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the inside of your body in real time, like a moving video. It can help find infections in your gallbladder or kidneys.

• CT scans (Computed Tomography): A CT scan takes many X-rays from different angles and combines them to create detailed cross-sectional images of your body. This is helpful in finding infections in your liver, pancreas, or other organs in your belly.

• MRI scans (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of your body's soft tissues and bones. This can be useful for finding infections in these areas.

These tests help doctors understand where the infection is and what kind of treatment is needed.