Sepsis

Sepsis is a severe condition that occurs when the body's immune system responds excessively to an infection, damaging its own tissues and organs.

It is the body's response to a serious infection, known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). When this occurs, extensive areas of the body become inflamed, breathing speeds up, the white blood cell count in the blood increases, and the heart rate rises. As a result, the body can become damaged, leading to septic shock, where blood pressure drops excessively, making it difficult for blood to circulate, increasing the risk of death.

Although sepsis is typically associated with a blood infection, the organisms that cause sepsis can also be found in other vital organs such as the lungs, intestines, or kidneys. The most common cause of sepsis is a bacterial infection, but it can also be viral or fungal.

Early detection is crucial for effective sepsis treatment. A high percentage of patients recover from milder cases, but mortality rates are high when septic shock occurs (according to the WHO, 20% of all global deaths).

Symptoms

Sepsis symptoms can vary from patient to patient. Some of the most common include:

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Excessive sweating.
• Difficulty breathing.
• High heart rate.
• Dizziness and confusion.
• Signs related to the specific infection causing the sepsis.

When septic shock occurs, it manifests as follows:

• Very high or very low temperature.
• Chills.
• Excessively low blood pressure.
• Palpitations.
• Difficulty standing.
• Difficulty staying awake.
• Dizziness.

Causes

The cause of sepsis is the presence of an infection in the body, regardless of the organism responsible or the location where it develops.

In newborns (neonatal sepsis), it is caused by transmission through the mother's vaginal fluids. Injuries caused during childbirth can lead to puerperal sepsis in women during the first fifteen days after giving birth.

Risk Factors

Anyone can develop sepsis, but the risk increases in the following cases:

• People over 65 years old.
• Newborns.
• Pregnant women, those who have recently given birth, or had a miscarriage.
• People with a weakened immune system.
• Hospitalized patients.
• People with chronic illnesses.

Complications

Sepsis causes damage to vital organs since they do not receive enough blood to function properly, and it can cause blood clots. In severe cases, the risk of future infections increases.

Septic shock can lead to death.

Prevention

To prevent sepsis, it is essential to maintain proper personal and home hygiene to avoid infections, avoid dirty water or unsanitary toilets, receive the vaccinations recommended by local health officials, follow a healthy diet, and practice breastfeeding for newborns.

What type of doctor treats sepsis?

Sepsis is treated in the intensive care unit.