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Sepsis (also known as blood poisoning, though this is not an accurate description) is the immune system's overreaction to an infection or injury. It's a potentially life-threatening condition and should be considered a medical emergency.
Sepsis is life threatening. But it can be hard to spot. So, what are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Babies under one year old are at risk, particularly if they're born early (premature) or their mother had an infection while pregnant.
Those suffering from chronic medical conditions are also particularly susceptible to sepsis, people with diabetes for example.
People with a weakened immune system, perhaps as a result of recent severe illness or hospitalization, are at risk.
A patient with sepsis might have one or more of the following symptoms, an example being a respiratory rate higher than or equal to 22 breaths a minute, in other words breathlessness.
If a person is acting confused, has slurred speech, or is not making sense, they might also be demonstrating the effects of sepsis.
Sepsis also causes blood pressure to drop dramatically.
Blue, pale, or blotchy skin, or a rash, are all possible indicators of sepsis. Likewise, clammy or sweaty skin should be considered a symptom.
A severe decrease in blood pressure can lead to septic shock, when abnormalities in cellular metabolism result in problems with how cells work and produce energy. Progression to septic shock increases the risk of death.
Note that you cannot catch sepsis from another person. It happens when your body overreacts to an infection. However, an infection can lead to sepsis, and you can spread some infections to other people. Preventing infection is therefore the best way of impeding sepsis.
Lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease can contribute towards the onset of sepsis.
As sepsis worsens, blood flow to vital organs, such as your brain, heart, and kidneys, becomes impaired.
If confirmed, the main treatment for sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock is a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics, administered intravenously. This will begin as soon as possible and invariably means a stay in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU).
The aim of the antibiotics is to fight the infection and prevent septic shock, which can cause your organs to fail. A patient can also undergo a raft of additional tests or treatments to identify and combat the condition. IV fluids and extra oxygen can help with this.
Feeling weak and drained after you've had sepsis can be an unfortunate side effect. Difficulty sleeping is not uncommon.
There are several organizations out there that offer support to survivors of sepsis, and to relatives of those who've suffered the condition. These include the Sepsis Trust and the Sepsis Alliance.
Sources: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (National Health Service) (Sepsis Alliance) (Sepsis Trust)
See also: 30 signs that you may have heart trouble
Bacterial infections are most often to blame for sepsis. But it can also happen because of other infections, for example when a bacterial infection elsewhere in the body, such as the lungs or skin, enters the bloodstream.
Anyone with an infection can get sepsis. Those most at risk from the condition include adults 65 or older.
Similarly, women who have just given birth, had a miscarriage, or had an abortion are at risk from contracting sepsis.
Being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake are other tell-tale signs that a youngster could be suffering from sepsis.
Besides demonstrating all or any one of these symptoms, a child with sepsis can also display unusual behavior such as not responding like they normally do, lacking interest in eating or ordinary day-to-day activities.
If you or your loved one has an infection that's not getting better or is getting worse, it's vital to act fast. A medical assessment by a healthcare professional is needed to confirm sepsis.
Fortunately, most people make a full recovery from sepsis, but this can be a long and often complicated process. Sepsis can leave you physically and emotionally scarred, symptoms that can take a long time to heal. In fact, the scientific definition of this long-term condition is known as post-sepsis syndrome (PSS).
A poor appetite coupled with a general feeling of lethargy is another manifestation of PSS.
In more extreme cases, PSS can induce flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks.
Taking a few simple steps like washing your hands often with soap, and keeping cuts covered until healed, can help prevent the spread of infection.
Keeping up with recommended vaccines for things like flu and chickenpox can help alleviate the threat of sepsis.
Stay fit! Gentle, easy exercise builds up strength and a good level of immunity.
Keep control of any chronic health conditions. Undergo regular checkups, and learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of sepsis before they take hold.
Sepsis is the body's extreme response to infection. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. It's a sinister condition. According to the Sepsis Trust, every three seconds someone in the world dies of sepsis. Fortunately, most people recover from sepsis, and it's not contagious. But it can be a killer. So, what exactly causes sepsis, who is at risk, and what are the signs and symptoms?
Click through and find out more about this life-threatening medical emergency.
The devastating condition known as sepsis
Click through and find out more about this life-threatening medical emergency.
HEALTH Illness
Sepsis is the body's extreme response to infection. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. It's a sinister condition. According to the Sepsis Trust, every three seconds someone in the world dies of sepsis. Fortunately, most people recover from sepsis, and it's not contagious. But it can be a killer. So, what exactly causes sepsis, who is at risk, and what are the signs and symptoms?
Click through and find out more about this life-threatening medical emergency.