Everyone has an infection from time to time, but if our body reacts abnormally to it, sepsis, or blood poisoning, as it is popularly known, may occur. It is a condition that requires attention and early intervention, as the consequences can be fatal. Let’s see in all details what sepsis is, why it is, how it is treated.
Due to the foreign microorganism entering our body, we all experience infections at different intensities from time to time. However, sometimes our body overreacts to this infection and sepsis, also known as blood poisoning among the people, occurs. Sepsis, as it damages organs It is a condition with fatal consequences and therefore needs attention.
Sepsis is a life-saving condition if diagnosed early. If the person who suspects that he has such a disease goes to the nearest health institution, he can overcome this situation without any problems with early intervention. Of course, some people carry a much greater risk in case of sepsis. Bride Let’s take a closer look at what sepsis is Let’s see the answers to questions such as why it happens and how it is treated.
Let’s start with a brief description; What is sepsis?
Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning among the people, is a form of bacteria, microbe or fungus in our body. against infection caused by a foreign microorganism It occurs when our body reacts abnormally. If not intervened early, it can have fatal consequences as it damages organs and tissues in our body.
According to CDC figures, 1.7 million people in the United States suffer from sepsis each year and At least 350 thousand of these people either die or are taken into special care. It is seen that 1 out of every 3 people who die in the hospital suffers from sepsis. Sepsis, or the infection that causes it, begins before hospitalization in 87 percent of cases.
What causes sepsis?
When a foreign microorganism such as a bacteria, microbe or fungus enters our body molecules called cytokines come into play and begins to fight by detecting the cause of the infection. If this infection spreads throughout the body, we produce too much stockin, which creates sepsis.
Although many different infections cause sepsis, it generally starts in the lung, urinary tract, skin and gastrointestinal tract. infections have a high risk of developing into sepsis. It is known that viral infections such as COVID-19 and influenza and fungal infections also pose a risk of sepsis. Burns and open wounds are also at risk of developing sepsis.
What are the symptoms of sepsis to watch out for?
- General symptoms;
- high fever or low fever
- Shortness of breath
- increase in breathing rate
- increased heart rate, palpitations
- low blood pressure
- skin color changes
- mood disorder
- Decreased urine output
- Sleeping state
- severe sepsis symptoms;
- Decline in heart functions
- change in skin color
- Hypotension
- change in body temperature
- difficulty breathing
- Decreased urine output
- Decreased platelet count
- Signs of septic shock due to sepsis;
- Abnormal, unresolved low blood pressure
- Organ disorders due to kidney failure
- Increases in blood value due to lactic acid
Here are some of the symptoms that are commonly seen in the case of sepsis in general. Of course, not all of these symptoms may appear at once. however, if you have an infection that you know already exists, it is recommended to go to the nearest health institution when you feel one or more of these symptoms.
How is sepsis detected, how is it diagnosed?
When you go to the hospital with one or more of the symptoms listed above Your doctor will first ask you for a blood test. In addition, your oxygen values, electrolyte imbalances, and blood coagulation status are checked. If you have a wound, a sample of secretions can be taken, or a urine test and sputum test can be taken. Depending on the situation, different tests such as MRI, ultrasound, x-ray may also be requested.
How is sepsis treated once diagnosed?
If the sepsis condition in the patient is detected early, its treatment can be done quickly. Depending on the situation, the patient can be taken to the intensive care unit and respiratory and cardiac functions can be regulated. The first drug to be used is broad-spectrum antibiotics because they are effective against a variety of bacteria.
According to the results of the analysis, your doctor finds the main source of the infection and a new treatment is started. Intravenous fluids can be given according to the patient’s blood pressure status. Different methods can be followed, such as putting him on a machine if his breathing is very bad, or going on dialysis if the kidneys are in very bad condition. The treatment method will be determined by the physician completely according to the patient’s condition.
Special attention should be paid to sepsis status in newborn babies:
In deliveries not performed in the hospital, in premature births, in cases where the mother does not have routine controls, if the mother has an infection, Newborns with bacterial vaginitis, resuscitation at birth, or twin pregnancy have a high risk of sepsis and therefore require close follow-up.
If the baby has difficulty sucking, if the body temperature has changed, if you are having trouble breathing, If the skin is pale, vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice or epileptic seizures, it should be taken to the nearest health facility as these are the most common signs of sepsis in babies.
Some people have a much higher risk of sepsis:
- Babies under 1 year old
- People aged 65 and over
- Those with weakened immune systems
- diabetes patients
- Lung patients
- cancer patients
- kidney patients
- Those who have recently had a serious illness
- Those who have recently been hospitalized
- Those who have had sepsis before
Of course, it is caused by an abnormal reaction of our body to the infection. Everyone has the risk of sepsis, but This risk is higher in the people we have listed above. In addition to the risk of occurrence, the risk of intense effects is also much higher in these people.
So what should we do, when should we go to the doctor?
What we’ve told so far may be a little scary, but that’s the truth. You don’t have to worry though because sepsis is a condition that can be treated with medication when it is intervened early. For this reason, you should know your body well and if you think you are experiencing an abnormal situation, you should definitely go to the nearest health institution.
Also known as blood poisoning We answered questions such as what is sepsis, why it is treated, and how it is treated. What we describe is for informational purposes only. Remember that you should get the most accurate and specific information about sepsis from a specialist physician, as in all health issues.