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Sepsis, or sepsis, is a very dangerous disease that can lead to a life-threatening condition. Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory reaction that results from an infection in the body. Early detection of sepsis in children and appropriate treatment significantly improves health. So what are the causes and symptoms, and how to treat sepsis in children?
The causes of sepsis in children
Sepsis, also known as sepsis, endotoxemia or SIRS in children, is an inflammatory reaction to infection, most commonly by Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococci, and meningococci. These bacteria cause havoc in the body of children due to the not fully developed immune system. Infection and, consequently, sepsis in children can occur as a result of external infection, but also through bacteria, which can become dangerous in the case of poor immunity. A child cannot catch sepsis, only the microbes that cause sepsis in children can become infected. The most common cause of sepsis in children is nosocomial infections. An infection of the body may occur during hospitalization, where the child’s immunity is significantly reduced. Sepsis in children causes organ dysfunction and increases the amount of toxins in the body, which causes the so-called septic shock, as a result of which blood pressure drops and blood circulation is weakened, causing tissue hypoxia. Sepsis in children is very serious and if you diagnose it quickly and use intensive therapy, you can fight the infection.
Symptoms of sepsis in children
The symptoms of sepsis in children are not clear-cut. Sepsis in children can have symptoms similar to those of the flu, such as high fever, headache, weakness and muscle pain. A characteristic symptom of sepsis in children is a slight rash on the arms and legs. In some cases, sepsis in children may be associated with a slight decrease in body temperature. The first symptoms of sepsis in children are sleepiness, lethargy, irritability, restlessness and vomiting. If sepsis develops, meningitis may develop. Your baby will feel sick and have a stiff neck, be excessively sleepy and may experience seizures. Symptoms that are alarming and possibly sepsis in a child are changes in behavior, feeling unwell, rapid breathing and a rapid heartbeat, fever or cold feeling, and a sudden rash. If these symptoms occur, go to the hospital with your baby as soon as possible.
Treatment of sepsis in children
Sepsis in children is life-threatening and the body is unable to cope with the progressive infection on its own. The detection of sepsis in children requires hospital treatment consisting in the intravenous administration of an antibiotic with simultaneous observation of the vital functions of the body. In the event of septic shock, the doctor will prescribe steroids and immunoglobulin as well as transfusion and cleansing the plasma of toxins. The only preventive action that can prevent sepsis in children is to vaccinate against the bacteria that cause sepsis. In Poland, vaccination against pneumococci is mandatory, while vaccination against meningococcus and Haemophilus influenzae group B is not mandatory. In addition, a very important method of preventing sepsis in children is to follow the basic rules of hygiene and avoid contact with sick people.
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