Hi, it’s Patrik Hutzel from INTENSIVECAREHOTLINE.COM where we instantly improve the lives for Families of critically ill Patients in Intensive Care, so that you can make informed decisions, have PEACE OF MIND, real power, real control and so that you can influence decision
making fast, even if you’re not a doctor or a nurse in Intensive Care!
This is another episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” and in last week’s episode I answered another question from our readers and the question was
My Sister had a Heart Attack and Sustained a Brain Injury. Is this the End of Life for Her?
You can check out last week’s question by clicking on the link here.
In this week’s episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” I want to answer questions from one of my clients as part of my 1:1 consulting and advocacy service!
WHAT IS SEPSIS?
- Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency.
- Sepsis happens when an infection you already have —in your skin, lungs, urinary tract, or somewhere else—triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.
- Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
- Severe cases of sepsis can lead to septic shock, which is a medical emergency.
Anyone can get sepsis, but the risk is higher in
- People with weakened immune system
- People with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, AIDS, cancer, and kidney or liver disease
- People suffering from a severe burn or physical trauma
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SEPSIS?
There are three stages of sepsis: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. Sepsis can happen while you’re still in the hospital recovering from a procedure, but this isn’t always the case.
SEPSIS
- a fever above 101ºF (38ºC) or a temperature below 96.8ºF (36ºC)
- heart rate higher than 90 beats per minute
- breathing rate higher than 20 breaths per minute
- probable or confirmed infection
SEVERE SEPSIS
- changes in mental ability
- chills due to fall in body temperature
SEPTIC SHOCK
Symptoms of septic shock include the symptoms of severe sepsis, plus a very low blood pressure.
Conventional hemodynamic monitoring in septic shock pertains to invasive, mostly continuous measurements of arterial blood pressure and pressures in the lesser circulation (central venous, pulmonary arterial and capillary wedge pressures) and to intermittent determinations of cardiac output. In order to obtain the latter variables, insertion of a thermistor, balloon tipped pulmonary artery catheter is required.
WHAT CAUSES SEPSIS?
Possible reasons for the increase of incidence of sepsis include:
- an aging population, because sepsis is more common in seniors
- an increase in antibiotic resistance, which happens when an antibiotic loses its ability to resist or kill bacteria
- an increase in the number of people with illnesses that weaken their immune systems
WHO ARE AT RISK FOR SEPSIS?
Although some people have a higher risk of infection, anyone can get sepsis. People who are at risk include:
- young children and seniors
- people with weaker immune systems, such as those with HIV or those in chemotherapy treatment for cancer
- people being treated in an intensive care unit (ICU)
- people exposed to invasive devices, such as intravenous catheters or breathing tubes
HOW IS SEPSIS DIAGNOSED?
If you have symptoms of sepsis, your doctor will order tests to make a diagnosis and determine the severity of your infection.
One of the first tests is a blood test. Your blood is checked for complications like:
- abnormal liver or kidney function
- decreased amount of oxygen
Depending on your symptoms and the results of your blood test, your doctor may order other tests, including:
- a urine test (to check for bacteria in your urine)
- a wound secretion test (to check an open wound for an infection)
- a mucus secretion test (to identify germs responsible for an infection)
If your doctor can’t determine the source of an infection using the above tests, they may order an internal view of your body using one of the following:
- CT scans to view possible infections in the appendix, pancreas, or bowel area
- ultrasounds to view infections in the gallbladder or ovaries
- MRI scans, which can identify soft tissue infections
HOW IS SEPSIS TREATED?
Sepsis can quickly progress to septic shock and death if it’s left untreated. Doctors use a number of medications to treat sepsis, including:
- antibiotics via IV to fight infection
- insulin to stabilize blood sugar
- corticosteroids/steroids to reduce inflammation
Severe sepsis may also require large amounts of IV fluids and a respirator for breathing. Dialysis might be necessary if the kidneys are affected. Kidneys help filter harmful wastes, salt, and
excess water from the blood. In dialysis, a machine performs these functions.
In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove the source of an infection. This includes draining a pus-filled abscess or removing infected tissue.
SEPSIS PREVENTION
Taking steps to prevent the spread of infection can reduce your risk of developing sepsis. These include:
- Practicing good hygiene. This means practicing proper wound care, handwashing, and bathing regularly.
- Getting immediate care if you develop signs of infection. Every minute counts when it comes to sepsis treatment. The sooner you get treatment, the better the outcome.
REFERENCES:
- Sepsis
- Sepsis
- Sepsis
- Hemodynamic Monitoring in Septic Shock
