Sepsis (patient information)

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Sepsis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Sepsis?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Sepsis On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Sepsis

Videos on Sepsis

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Blogs on Sepsis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Sepsis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Sepsis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Sepsis is a severe illness in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria.

What are the symptoms of Sepsis?[edit | edit source]

In sepsis, blood pressure drops, resulting in shock. Major organs and body systems, including the kidneys, liver, lungs, and central nervous system, stop working properly.

A change in mental status and hyperventilation may be the earliest signs of sepsis. In general, symptoms of sepsis can include:

What causes Sepsis?[edit | edit source]

Sepsis is caused by a bacterial infection that can begin anywhere in the body. Common places where an infection might start include:

In children, sepsis may accompany infection of the bone (osteomyelitis). In hospitalized patients, common sites of infection include intravenous lines, surgical wounds, surgical drains, and sites of skin breakdown known as bedsores (decubitus ulcers).

Who is at highest risk?[edit | edit source]

Any infectious site can lead to sepsis if not taken proper care of.

When to seek urgent medical care?[edit | edit source]

Call a doctor if you develop symptoms of sepsis

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

The infection is often confirmed by a blood test. However, a blood test may not reveal infection in people who have been receiving antibiotics.

Other tests that may be done include:

Treatment options[edit | edit source]

If you have sepsis, you will be admitted to a hospital, usually the intensive care unit (ICU). Antibiotics are given through a vein (intravenously). Oxygen, fluids given through a vein, and medications that increase blood pressure may be needed. Dialysis may be necessary if there is kidney failure. A breathing machine (mechanical ventilation) is necessary if there is lung failure. For some patients, treatment with powerful anti-inflammatory medications called corticosteroids or recombinant human activated protein C may be helpful.

Medications to avoid[edit | edit source]

Patients diagnosed with Sepsis should avoid using the following medications:


Where to find medical care for Sepsis?[edit | edit source]

Directions to Hospitals Treating Sepsis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?[edit | edit source]

Sepsis is often life threatening, especially in people with a weakened immune system or with a chronic illness.

Possible complications[edit | edit source]

Sources[edit | edit source]

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sepsis.html

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