What is Sepsis?
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Source: CDC
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 triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Most cases of sepsis start before a patient goes to the hospital. Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
Is sepsis contagious?
You can’t spread sepsis to other people. However, an infection can lead to sepsis, and you can spread some infections to other people.
What causes sepsis?
Infections can put you or your loved one at risk for sepsis. When germs get into a person’s body, they can cause an infection. If you don’t stop that infection, it can lead to sepsis. Bacterial infections cause most cases of sepsis. Sepsis can also be a result of other infections, including viral infections, such as COVID-19, influenza, or fungal infections. Most people who develop sepsis have at least one underlying medical condition, such as chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can develop sepsis, but there are those at higher risk:
Adults 65 or older
People with weakened immune systems
People with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease
People with recent severe illness or hospitalization
People who survived sepsis
Children younger than one
What are the signs & symptoms?
A person with sepsis might have one or more of the following signs or symptoms:
High heart rate or weak pulse
Confusion or disorientation
Extreme pain or discomfort
Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold
Shortness of breath
Clammy or sweaty skin
People who might have sepsis should be urgently evaluated and treated by a healthcare professional.
What should I do if I think I might have sepsis?
Sepsis is a medical emergency. If you or your loved one has an infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse, ACT FAST.
Get medical care IMMEDIATELY. Ask your healthcare professional if your infection could lead to sepsis and whether you should go to the Campbell County Health emergency room.
If you have a medical emergency, call 911.
With fast recognition and treatment, most people survive sepsis. Treatment requires urgent medical care, usually in an intensive care unit in a hospital, and includes careful monitoring of vital signs and often antibiotics.