SEPSIS

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a serious body-wide response to bacteria or another infection plus malfunction or failure of an essential system in the body.

Septic shock is life-threatening low blood pressure (shock) and organ failure due to sepsis.

Usually, sepsis results from certain bacterial infections, often acquired in a hospital. Having certain conditions, such as a weakened immune system, certain chronic disorders, an artificial joint or heart valve, and certain heart valve abnormalities, increases the risk.

Possible Sepsis Initial Reaction

At first, people may a high (or sometimes low) body temperature, sometimes with shaking chills and weakness. Note however that people with severe immunocompromised systems may not produce a high or low fever.

Sepsis Advancements

As sepsis worsens, the heart beats rapidly, breathing becomes rapid, people become confused, and blood pressure drops.

Doctors suspect the diagnosis based on symptoms and confirm it by detecting bacteria in a sample of blood, urine, or other material. Antibiotics are given immediately, along with oxygen and fluids by vein. Often, medications are used to increase blood pressure, those are often called 'pressers'.

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome of life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated response to infection. See also Septic Shock

Immunocompromised patients may have uncommon bacterial or fungal species. Signs include fever, hypo-tension, oliguria (abnormally low urine output), and confusion. Diagnosis is primarily clinical combined with culture results showing infection. Early recognition and treatment is critical.

Medication Treatment of Sepsis

Treatments include aggressive fluid resuscitation, antibiotics, surgical excision of infected or necrotic tissue and drainage of pus, and supportive care.

Some of the medications used to treat Sepsis and/or Septic Shock include:

• Antibiotics
• Fluids
• Albumin
• Boluses of Fluids or Albumin

prevention is the name of the game

While not all infections can be prevented, particularly in people with compromised immune systems, anyone with a transplant must do all they can to avoid making contact with a person with an infection, and taking actions as soon as they think they may have been exposed.

Sepsis can be fatal; please don't take any chances.