Live Life Team
Sepsis is an infection that spreads through blood, affecting the entire body. This is a systematic response. Sepsis in a broader term can also be called blood poisoning or even septicaemia, though they differ in their terminology a little. Sepsis affects the entire body and can be caused by fungal or viral infections whereas septicaemia is the bacterial infection of blood.
An infection usually affects a part or an organ, which is also known as a localised infection. Sometimes, if the person is weak, the infection could spread into blood and then to the other organs. The immune system makes the scenario worse. It releases a large number of fighting proteins also called cytokines. These cytokines, instead of acting on the infection, damage the organs and impinge on blood circulation.
The Reasons For Sepsis
Sepsis starts as an infection confined to one part of the body like an infection of the lung or an injury such like a gunshot wound or a burn. Normally, the immune system in the body would react by producing white blood cells which collect at the infection site (also called inflammation), which fights against the infection and repairs the tissue.
Sometimes, if the person is weak or if the injury or infection is severe, the immune system would not function as it should, and the infection spreads to other parts of the body. This results in an inflammation of areas of the body where the infection has spread, thereby spreading the inflammation to the full body. This can be more harmful than an actual infection as widespread inflammation damages tissue and hinders blood flow. This leads to a low blood pressure thereby reducing oxygen supply to the tissues and organs involved.
Some kinds of infections linked with sepsis are flu, appendicitis, lung infection, etc. The people who are at particular risk to infection include
People infected with HIV or leukaemia.
People on any treatment that weakens the immune system. For example, people on steroids or chemotherapy.
The young and the aged.
People admitted in hospitals due to serious illnesses. Secondary infections in these cases are a high possibility. People with community-acquired bacterial infections, for example MRSA, tend to be immune to antibiotics.
Diagnosing Sepsis
Three important points to note while diagnosing sepsis are:
Infection type.
Infection source.
Determine the extent of damage to body functions.
Some of the tests to diagnose sepsis are:
Urine tests.
Blood tests.
Check blood pressure.
Tests of stool sample.
Tests of wound culture – a small section of skin, fluid, or tissue from affected area is taken and tested.
X-ray or CT scan.
Spinal tap.
Heart and liver and kidney tests.
Treating Sepsis
If sepsis is diagnosed in the early stages, then it can be treated at home with the help of oral antibiotics. However, if it is severe, admission to a hospital might be required, to an ICU or Intensive Care Unit. ICU’s are isolated units where the infection can be kept in check and the staff can concentrate on treating the patient.
