SEPSIS

About:

• What is it? Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the body’s immune system overreacting in response to an infection. This overactive, toxic response can lead to tissue damage, multiple organ failure and death.
  
  
• Cause:
  • Sepsis can be triggered by a variety of pathogens such as Viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. The causes of sepsis are usually pneumonia, wound infections, urinary tract infections or infections in the abdominal cavity.
    
    
  • Other viruses that are highly infectious, such as coronaviruses, Ebola and yellow fever viruses, dengue, swine flu or bird flu viruses can also cause sepsis.
    
    
  
  
  
• Symptoms: Drop in blood pressure with a simultaneous rise in heart rate, fever, rapid, heavy breathing, an unusually strong feeling of illness and sudden confusion.
  
  
• Long-term consequences: Infections, kidney failure or cardiovascular problems can recur about three months after discharge. In addition, many sepsis patients suffer severe, long-term consequences such as paralysis, depression or anxiety disorders.
  
  
• Treatment: When diagnosed, sepsis is immediately treated as an emergency. The blood is examined, a broad-spectrum antibiotic is administered, and sufficient blood circulation and ventilation are ensured. As a precautionary measure, many sepsis patients are “protectionally incubated,” i.e. put into an artificial coma.