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Sepsis is an infection that causes the body to develop a primary tumor from which germs and their toxins enter the blood continuously or intermittently, causing damage to various organs. The development of sepsis most often occurs as a result of the breakdown of the patient’s immunity.
What is sepsis
Sepsis is also known as sepsis. It is a group of symptoms that are the body’s reaction to an infection caused by various viruses, bacteria and fungi. Sepsis is an infection that develops very rapidly, so it is important to get it diagnosed as soon as possible. During sepsis, there is a general inflammatory reaction in which chemokines and cytokines are involved. There may also be changes in organs that lead to organ failure. Sepsis most often occurs in people hospitalized in the intensive care unit, because the patient undergoes a large number of invasive activities, which are necessary in the treatment process. Outside of hospital, however, sepsis occurs mainly in young children, adolescents and the elderly (debilitated). Being in places with a lot of people poses a certain risk of septicemia, e.g. prisons, kindergartens, nurseries, schools.
For this reason, proper nutrition is very important, as well as supplementation of vitamins and minerals that will affect the body’s immunity. It is worth paying attention to these supplements with compositions containing herbal extracts.
The causes of sepsis
They cause sepsis most often pyogenic bacteria – staphylococci, streptococci, meningococci, intestinal sticks; less often – other bacteria, viruses and fungi. Infection occurs via droplets. More rarely, the vector through which the germ was introduced into the body are periodic or permanent intravenous or intravesical catheters. Sometimes the cause of sepsis are also bacteria physiologically present in the body (the so-called saprophytic microflora).
Infants, young children and chronically ill patients are most susceptible to the development of sepsis. Another risk factor for sepsis is inadequate hygiene of the skin and oral cavity, and decreased immunity during treatment with antibiotics and steroids.
Among young people, meningococcus is responsible for sepsis, which has the ability to spread easily. They are located in the secretions of the nasopharyngeal cavity, and their carriers are even 10% of the population who do not even know about it. Meningococcal carriers are healthy, asymptomatic, and yet spread deadly bacteria. Therefore, you should be careful, because close contacts in the form of eating or drinking from the same vessels, kissing or even smoking a cigarette pose a risk of infection with the bacterium.
From year to year, we are dealing with an increasing percentage of sepsis. This is, among other things, due to the increased resistance to antibiotics that we overuse.
Sepsis – the course of the disease
The onset of sepsis may be sudden or slow. Most often, the first symptom is chills caused by the discharge of microorganisms into the blood, accompanied by a high fever. In severe cases, the fever does not have to be high in young children. Often seen shock form of sepsis – drop in pressure, increased heart rate, pale skin and various rashes – most often such as petechiae. Your child may have impaired consciousness and symptoms of meningitis. There may be vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, anorexia (these are symptoms of gastrointestinal damage), decreased urine output to complete anuria (signs of kidney damage), and joint pain and swelling – up to inflammation.
The course of sepsis was electrifying it is a very dramatic condition that can be fatal within hours. Symptoms of hemorrhagic diathesis (extensive ecchymosis) and shock are predominant. If the parents notice that the condition of the feverish child is disproportionately severe compared to previous conditions with elevated temperature, and there are symptoms of hemorrhagic diathesis (ecchymosis on the skin and mucous membranes), it is an indication for immediate medical attention – preferably in a hospital setting. The success of therapy and further prognosis depend on the speed of treatment implementation (antibiotics, steroids, drugs that increase blood pressure and inhibit the processes of coagulation disorders).
Prevention of sepsis
Many people wonder if sepsis can be prevented in some way? You can. First of all, we should take care of our health, stop being afraid of visiting the dentist, not ignore any inflammation – a tooth, tonsils, even a minor (as it might seem) colds. Overuse of antibiotics is fatal, especially if you take them at your own risk without consulting your doctor. Remember that it is important to look after your immunity on a daily basis, and you may even consider vaccinating against some of the bacteria that cause sepsis.
Exactly, how is it with vaccines? Is it worth getting vaccinated?
As always – opinions are divided, but many specialists encourage to vaccinate. We can get a lot of vaccines against bacteria that cause sepsis on the market, including: the meningococcal vaccine type C. However, due to the lack of reimbursement and relatively high cost, it is recommended to patients who are at high risk, children and soldiers who they stay in large groups of people on a daily basis (dormitories, barracks), which increase the risk of infection. Vaccination should also be considered by immunocompromised people who are chronically ill.
It is also worth thinking about vaccination if we are going to such countries as Saudi Arabia or North and Central Africa – high risk of getting sick.
Sepsis – a new detection technology
In Poland and in Europe, from January 2016, we can use a new diagnostic technology that helps to quickly detect sepsis marker. This is great news for all patients and doctors. Previously, such tests were performed only in large hospitals with well-equipped laboratories. Currently, the test is carried out using an apparatus called the Labgeo IB-10. It is a miniaturized device that measures the amount of procalcitonin: in the emergency room, in the doctor’s office, in the clinic and even in an ambulance! We get the result about 20 minutes after blood collection. Clinical trials have confirmed the effectiveness and reliability of the Labgeo IB-10.
Treatment of sepsis
Treatment of sepsis should be based on the rapid administration of antibiotics as soon as the first symptoms appear; administration of anticoagulants, fluids and cardiac agents. However, the most important thing should be to find out what bacteria led to sepsis, for this purpose, blood culture is performed.
Specialists look for the sources of infection in the patient’s body, check whether it has inflammation or purulent foci.
Fortunately, a blood test determines which organism has caused the sepsis, which makes further management easier. However, there are situations in which the cause of the infection cannot be determined, so in such a situation the doctor will give the patient antibiotics with a wide range of effects.
Consult a doctor without leaving home. Use the e-visit option and get e-Prescription, e-Referral and e-Release even in 10 minutes.
Can sepsis be caught?
Nothing could be more wrong! You cannot catch sepsis as it is a series of symptoms that come with general infection! We can, however, become infected with bacteria, fungi or viruses, which under favorable circumstances are responsible for the appearance of sepsis. Sepsis, as mentioned above, can be caused by, for example, staphylococci, pneumococci, or candida albicans (among fungi).
Complications after sepsis
Sepsis, even if treated best, has significant mortality (20-40%). After an illness, complications often occur in the form of necrotic changes in the peripheral parts of the body (fingers and toes – sometimes amputation is necessary), defects in the skin and other parts of the body.
With the coexistence of meningitis or brain abscesses after sepsis, neurological complications may remain, e.g. seizures, hearing loss, psychophysical development disorders, including cerebral palsy.
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