What is Sepsis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Blood Infection

What is sepsis?

Sepsis or septicaemia is a blood infection that occurs when bacteria enter your bloodstream from an infection occurring elsewhere in the body. It is your body's extreme response to the bacterial infection.

Usually, when you have an infection, your immune system releases chemicals to fight it. However, sometimes the immune system stops fighting the disease and attacks and damages your normal tissues and organs. This leads to inflammation throughout your body.

Sepsis is a critical medical emergency. It can cause septic shock that could lead to a drop in blood pressure and damage your lungs, kidneys and other organs. Severe damage to these organs may prove fatal. Timely diagnosis and immediate medical treatment improve the chances of recovery and survival.

What are the stages of sepsis?

The three stages of sepsis are:

• Sepsis: It occurs when bacteria from an infection enter your bloodstream and cause a blood infection. This leads to inflammation in the body.
• Severe sepsis: This is the stage where the blood infection and the inflammation begin to affect the functioning of your organs.
• Septic shock: It is a severe complication of sepsis that leads to a drop in your blood pressure, which is followed by organ dysfunction, respiratory failure, heart failure, stroke and death.

What are the signs and symptoms of sepsis?

While sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency, seeking timely medical help can make all the difference. Some symptoms of sepsis are similar to other medical conditions. Please consult your doctor for the correct diagnosis if you observe any of the following blood infection symptoms:

Symptoms of sepsis are:

• Sudden fever
• Shivering
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Low blood pressure
• Fast heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Excessive sweating
• Extreme pain
• Heart palpitations
• Sensitivity to light

The following are the signs and symptoms of severe sepsis:

• Difficulty breathing
• Shivering
• Extreme weakness
• Dizziness
• Low platelet count
• Bluish appearance of the skin on the lips, fingers and toes
• Decreased urination
• Confusion, agitation or anxiety
• Abnormal heart functioning
• Unconsciousness

Sepsis or blood infection can advance to severe sepsis and septic shock quickly. Please consult a doctor immediately if you experience:

• Severe difficulty breathing
• Acute confusion
• Low blood pressure
• Bluish skin

What are the causes of sepsis?

While infection in the body can cause sepsis, blood infection occurs primarily due to bacterial infections in the respiratory system, skin, urinary tract and gastrointestinal tract.

The following infections increase the risk of blood infection or septicaemia:

Respiratory system:

• Pneumonia

Central nervous system:

• Infection of the brain
• Infection in the spinal cord

Gastrointestinal system:

• Bowel conditions
• Appendicitis (Infection of the appendix)
• Gall bladder infection
• Liver infection
• Infection in the abdominal cavity

Urinary tract:

• Urinary tract infection

Skin:

• Bacterial infections can occur due to inflammation, wounds, cuts, burns and scrapes.
• Cellulitis or inflammation of the connective tissue

Besides bacterial infection, fungal and viral infections can also cause sepsis.

Who is at a higher risk of sepsis?

While anybody can have an infection, certain people are at a higher risk of blood infection. These include:

• People with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, immune system disorders, lung disease, kidney disease, obesity and cancer.
• People with a weak immune system
• People older than 65 years of age as well as pregnant women, newborns and infants.
• People who are admitted to a hospital for medical conditions
• People with injuries like burns or wounds
• People with catheters or breathing tubes.

How is sepsis diagnosed?

Timely identification of sepsis or blood infection is crucial in improving the chances of recovery. Doctors advise various tests to diagnose sepsis. These are:

• Physical examination.
• Blood tests to check complete blood count (CBC Test), kidney function, clotting difficulty and electrolyte abnormalities.
• Urine tests to conduct a urinalysis and urine culture.
• Blood oxygen level test to check the levels of oxygen in the blood.
• Imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans.

What are the treatment options for sepsis?

If left untreated, blood infection can quickly turn into severe sepsis and septic shock. It is necessary to consult your doctor if you observe any signs or blood infection symptoms. With a timely diagnosis, your doctor will prescribe an ideal treatment plan to help you recover faster.

Your doctor will prescribe the treatment based on

• Your age and overall health
• Your medical history
• The severity of the condition
• Tolerance to certain medications and procedures
• Prognosis of your condition

Treatment for blood infection consists of the following:

• Antibiotics: If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection.
• IV (intravenous) fluids: To help maintain the blood flow to your organs, your doctor will prescribe IV fluids.
• Blood pressure medications: These help increase your blood pressure
• Insulin: It helps stabilise blood glucose levels.
• Corticosteroids: These medications will help control the inflammation.
• Pain relievers: These medications help provide relief from any pain or discomfort due to the infection.
• Doctors may advise ventilators in case of respiratory failure and dialysis in case of kidney failure.
• Doctors may suggest surgery to remove any damaged tissue.

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Summing up

If you have an infection and experience sudden fever, chills, extreme weakness or confusion, please consult your doctor immediately. While blood infection is a life-threatening medical emergency, timely diagnosis and prompt medical treatment will help you recover faster. Your doctor may place you in an intensive care unit for constant observation and better care.

Please practice good hygiene and keep any wounds covered. Consult your doctor for your chronic medical conditions and get prompt medical attention if you have an infection. Self-care and routine check-ups reduce the risks of blood infections and ensure your overall health and well-being.

Your doctor will advise blood tests to diagnose blood infection. You can count on Metropolis Healthcare for their dedicated services and the latest technology they employ for timely and accurate results. They also provide home visits for your convenience, with the promise of accurate results within 24 hours!