Sepsis

Definition of sepsis

Sepsis is a serious and dangerous complication of infection. Sepsis occurs when chemical compounds that enter the bloodstream to fight infections cause inflammation and swelling in various parts of the body. This inflammation can have persistent effects that have the potential to damage the organic system, which in turn can cause organic dysfunction. If left untreated, this condition can cause a significant decrease in blood pressure and eventually lead to death.

Everyone has the potential to develop sepsis, but sepsis is more common in older people or those whose immune systems are weakened. Initial treatment of sepsis in the form of antibiotics and intravenous fluids can increase the level of patient safety.
Additional explanation
The symptoms

In general, sepsis can be divided into 3 stages, ranging from sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. Here are the symptoms:

blood poisoning
Fever greater than 380 ° C or temperatures below 360 ° C
Heart rate / pulse more than 90 times per minute
Respiratory rate of more than 20 times per minute
Severe septicemia (indicates that the organ is not working properly)
The amount of urine excreted is greatly reduced (no stool for 12 hours)
Mental health changes such as anxiety, confusion
Reduction in the number of pieces of blood (platelets)
Difficulty breathing
Abnormal heart rhythms
Stomach ache

Septic shock
Symptoms and signs of severe sepsis are accompanied by a sudden drop in blood pressure which can no longer be improved by simply replacing body fluids.

The cause

Sepsis can be caused by a variety of infections, whether caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Infections that usually cause sepsis are:

Pneumonia (pneumonia)
Gastric infection
Urinary tract infection
appendicitis
Meningitis
Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood.

Sepsis can occur in infected people and ages. But there are several groups of people who are at higher risk of developing sepsis, namely:

Infants, children and parents
People who suffer injuries, injuries like burning
People with serious illness who are usually treated in the ICU
People with diseases who need to install invasive medical aids such as infusions, breathing aids
Drug-resistant bacteria
Low immune system (due to HIV or cancer treatments such as chemotherapy)

diagnosis

Sepsis is a disease that is difficult to detect because the signs and symptoms can mimic other diseases, but a diagnosis of sepsis can be made if the patient has at least 2 of the 3 symptoms of sepsis.

The doctor will begin with a physical examination including:

Collect blood samples for infection, blood clotting problems, abnormal liver or kidney function, and electrolyte imbalance.
Urine sample examination (if there are indications of urinary tract infection) to detect bacterial infection.
Examination of respiratory system fluids such as phlegm.
Wound biopsy, if any, that is, taking tissue samples or wound fluid.
Using an X-ray image scanner, computed tomography, ultrasound or MRI to detect abnormalities in the organ.

treatment

Treatment of sepsis varies depending on the location and cause of the sepsis, the organ affected and the level of damage. Sepsis requires quick treatment because the faster the treatment, the higher the chances for survival and healing of patients.

For cases of severe sepsis and septic shock, special monitoring is required and must be treated intensively and urgently in the hospital. This treatment is needed to maintain the stability of vital organs such as the heart and respiratory function during infection.

There are several treatments for treating sepsis:

Antibiotic treatment must start immediately within the first 6 hours or even sooner than that. Antibiotics given are broad-spectrum antibiotics given by intravenous injection. The type of antibiotic given will be adjusted as soon as the results of laboratory tests have determined the type of bacteria that causes sepsis.
If the blood pressure remains low, even if it has been corrected by replacing body fluids, the doctor will usually give vasopressors drugs that can cause blood vessel constriction and increase blood pressure.
Oxygen to maintain oxygen levels in the blood.
Intravenous fluids to maintain electrolyte balance in the body and prevent dehydration.
Other supporting treatments that can be given are corticosteroids, insulin to maintain blood glucose, blood transfusions, breathing aids and dialysis.

prevention

The doctor may suggest the following actions to prevent sepsis: