Sepsis is a serious medical condition caused by an overreaction to infection, which can spread to other areas of the body. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses and can lead to organ failure or death. Diagnosis involves tests and there are three stages of severity. Treatment includes hospitalization, antibiotics, and other medications. Some people may be more at risk than others, including infants, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems.
Sepsis, also called systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), is a serious medical condition in which the body overreacts to an infection, causing widespread health problems. The different causes of sepsis are bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses. These causes of sepsis result in infections that start in one area of the body and, due to the body’s response, spread to other areas. Some of the most common sites of infection are the bladder, brain and kidneys. Other common sites include the liver, lungs and skin.
Different infections can cause different types of diseases. Examples of diseases that could lead to sepsis are peritonitis, pneumonia and cellulitis. Some people might acquire sepsis through intravenous (IV) catheters or surgical wounds. Other causes of sepsis include appendicitis, meningitis and urinary tract infection. Also, children could develop sepsis due to osteomyelitis.
Although anyone can be affected by sepsis, there are those who are more at risk than others. Infants, individuals over the age of 65, and blacks, particularly black men, are among those at greatest risk. Others at risk include those with weak immune systems or a serious medical condition and those who are hospitalized. Also, some people may acquire sepsis due to genetics.
Sepsis can be diagnosed through a variety of tests, including those that analyze blood, urine, and other body fluids. If the infectious causes of sepsis aren’t obvious, your doctor might do other tests such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or X-ray. The discovery made through testing determines the stage of sepsis a person may have.
Generally, there are three stages of sepsis, ranging from mild to severe: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. An individual must have certain symptoms before being diagnosed with any stage of sepsis. As the disease progresses, the affected individual may experience organ failure or an extreme drop in blood pressure. It is possible to overcome sepsis, but about half of people who have severe sepsis or go into septic shock do not survive. The seriousness of this situation means that an individual with sepsis should seek treatment as soon as possible.
An individual who is diagnosed with sepsis usually requires a hospital stay. Typically, he will stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and receive antibiotics to treat the infection. Some individuals may require IV fluids, corticosteroids, or vasopressors. Organ failure can occur, so appropriate treatment options, such as dialysis for kidney failure, may be needed.
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