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What Is Sepsis And Why Is It So Deadly?

by — 2014-10-30 in Lymphatic & Endocrine system
Sepsis is a deadly infection of the bloodstream and without prompt medical treatment, it can become fatal. Each year, countless people will needlessly die due to sepsis, which is why stricter diagnostic protocols and testing are desperately needed.

Septicemia sets in when a bacterial infection reaches the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning. If this dangerous condition is left untreated, sepsis can result. The body's response to this infection is life-threatening and can kill.

With sepsis, the body’s immune system goes into overdrive and reacts with a severe inflammatory response.  The inflammation that results from sepsis can trigger a dangerous cascade of bodily changes which can result in multiple organ damage.

What are the different stages of sepsis?

Many medical professionals view sepsis as a three stage condition. The first stage of sepsis is mild and fairly easily treated, and it progresses to severe sepsis and then finally to septic shock if left untreated.  

The main goal medical professionals will have is to treat sepsis while it is in the early stages, before the condition can become life-threatening.

The following describes the different stages of sepsis and the symptoms each stage brings:

  • First stage of sepsis: Less severe and presents with a fever and increased heart rate.
  • Second stage of sepsis: More severe and presents with difficulty breathing and possible organ malfunction.
  • Third stage: Most severe, this final stage of sepsis is also known as septic shock.  All of the symptoms of sepsis are present, along with low and life-threatening blood pressure.

How is sepsis diagnosed?

In order for sepsis to be diagnosed, a person must have at least two of the following symptoms:

  • A heart rate of more than 90 beats per minute
  • A probable or confirmed infection
  • A body temperature above 101 F or below 96.8 F
  • A respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths per minute

Definitively diagnosing sepsis requires at least two of the above symptoms to be present and the medical professional must also perform a blood test. Doing a blood culture will show if an infectious agent is present and what kind it is.  Researchers are currently investigating different blood tests to help in diagnosing sepsis early.

What are the causes of sepsis?

The most common cause of sepsis is some type of bacterial infection. However, sepsis can also be caused by other types of infections.  An infection can start with bacteria or another infectious agent can enter the body.  

Sepsis can be the result of something as innocuous as a knee scrape or it can be related to a serious medical condition such as meningitis, pneumonia, a urinary tract infection or appendicitis.

Sepsis can also be the result of an infection in the bone called osteomyelitis.  For people in the hospital, sepsis can occur from an infection in an IV line, urinary catheter, surgical incision or a bed sore. Sepsis is not a random occurrence and most often it is associated with other medical conditions such as perforation, a renal abscess, acute prostatitis or the rupture of an intra-abdominal or pelvic structure.

See Also: Leprosy: The nerve infection

Who is at a higher risk for developing sepsis?

Although it is possible for anybody to develop sepsis, there are certain groups of individuals who are at a higher risk and these include:

  • Young babies
  • People with a compromised immune system (immunocompromised people)
  • The elderly, particularly those with existing health issues
  • People who have been hospitalized and possibly had a medical or surgical procedure performed
  • Diabetics

What Are The Symptoms Of Sepsis?

Sepsis can begin in any part of the body, so it can bring about many different symptoms. Sepsis can cause rapid breathing and a change in mental status, such as lethargy and cloudiness. Other common symptoms of sepsis also include; diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, decreased urination, fever, chills, shaking, low body temperature, rapid pulse and difficulty breathing.

What are the symptoms of severe sepsis?

When a person’s diagnosis of sepsis has been upgraded to severe, the situation has become far more serious.  If a person displays one or more of the following symptoms, it could indicate organ failure which could become rapidly fatal:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Abnormal heart function
  • Abrupt changes in mental status
  • Significantly decreased urine output
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Decreased platelet count

What is septic shock?

Septic shock is the final stage of sepsis. This most severe stage can be diagnosed after a person has the signs and symptoms of severe sepsis. The only differentiation is the fact someone with septic shock will have severe shock symptoms in addition to an extremely low blood pressure which does not respond to simple IV fluids.

When should someone see a doctor about suspected sepsis?

It is very common for sepsis to occur when someone is in the hospital.  

People who are hospitalized in the intensive care unit are particularly vulnerable to developing an infection which can become septic.

If you acquire an infection or have the signs or symptoms of sepsis after surgery or hospitalization, it is important to seek medical care immediately. Do so if you recognize possible symptoms of sepsis in a loved one as well. Elderly patients with dementia are especially likely to be unable to share their symptoms with the doctor.

How is sepsis treated?

In almost every case of sepsis, a person will need to be hospitalized in order to have the infection treated. Sepsis is treated through the use of intravenous antibiotics and additional treatment may be given to support any organ dysfunction a person may be experiencing.  Sepsis can become life-threatening quickly and each year more than 11 million people die from it globally.

The type of antibiotic or antibiotics used to treat sepsis will depend on what type of bacteria is causing the infection. It is necessary for a physician to do a blood test and send the sample off to a lab to be tested, in order to find out which antibiotics would be most effective.  In some severe cases of sepsis, a person may need to be placed in the intensive care unit to be closely monitored and some individuals have had amputation of extremities in order to save their life.

Why are sepsis deaths needless?

With the high mortality rates associated with sepsis, it makes sense to educate medical personnel about the condition and to routinely test for it in those who display the symptoms.  

Deaths from sepsis could be prevented with a simple blood test.

Treating and diagnosing sepsis is not expensive and it can be done in nearly every emergency in the United States.  In order to prevent needless deaths from sepsis, it is important for the medical community to adopt a sepsis protocol. 

See Also: WHO Says a Visit to the Hospital is Far Riskier than Flying due to Medical Errors and Infections

Sepsis: What is the prognosis?

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening infection; it can be particularly deadly in the elderly and people with a compromised immune system. Because sepsis causes a decrease in blood flow to the vital organs, there may be long-term damage.  Not all people with sepsis will survive, but with early diagnosis and prompt treatment the prognosis is much better.

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