Neutropenic sepsis is a serious condition where a patient with low neutrophil count develops fever and systemic infection, often caused by cancer treatment. Treatment involves antibiotics and hospitalization, and patients should take precautions to avoid exposure to infectious material.
Neutropenic sepsis is the presence of fever and other evidence of systemic infection in a patient with an unusually low neutrophil count, a condition known as neutropenia. Neutrophils are an important type of white blood cell, and when a patient has a low count, that person is less able to fight off the infection. For healthcare professionals and patients, neutropenic sepsis is a very serious condition and it is important to treat it comprehensively and aggressively with appropriate medications and other measures.
A common reason patients develop neutropenia is cancer treatment, because the drugs tend to dangerously reduce white blood cell counts. Some immune diseases can also cause this condition. It is important to know the underlying cause, as this can be an important part of making decisions about how to treat a patient’s condition.
In patients with neutropenic sepsis, the first sign is usually fever. Patients may also be confused or restless. If a blood sample is taken, traces of bacteria, fungi or viruses may be present. If the condition is not treated, the patient’s organs can become overloaded and the patient will eventually fall into a coma and die. The first line of treatment is antibiotics, usually broad-spectrum, aggressive drugs given intravenously so they start acting quickly. A doctor may also order a culture to learn more about the source of the infection and determine if a different medication would be more appropriate for the patient’s needs.
You may need to stay in the hospital while you battle neutropenic sepsis. Medical staff can monitor the patient, supervise the administration of antibiotics and provide supportive care. If the infection appears to be drug resistant, it may be necessary to isolate the patient in the interest of protecting other patients in the hospital. Treatment can be lengthy, as the patient’s body has minimal defenses and relies heavily on drugs to kill the causative organisms and make the patient feel better.
Neutropenic sepsis is a known risk in any patient with a very low WBC count. Patients usually should take steps to avoid exposure to infectious material and should contact their doctors right away if they develop a fever or feel unusually unwell. Often the underlying disease can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue, and it can sometimes be difficult to identify new symptoms or distinguish between the symptoms of a complication and an increase in the severity of the original disease. A doctor can evaluate the patient to find out what is going on and develop a treatment plan.
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