Sepsis or Septicemia

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis or septicemia, is the presence of bacteria in the blood (bacteremia).

Septicemia is a serious, rapidly progressing, life threatening infection that can arise from infections through out the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. It may precede or coincide with infections of the bones (osteomyelitis), central nervous system (meningitis) , or other tissues.

Septicemia can rapidly lead to septic shock and death. Septic shock occurs when an overwhelming infection leads to low blood pressure and low blood flow. Vital organs such as the brain , heart , kidneys and liver may not function properly or may fail. Decrease urine output from kidney failure may be symptom.

Septic shock occurs most often in the very young. It also occurs in people with underlying illnesses. Any bacterial organism can cause septic shock. Fungi and and ( rarely ) viruses may also cause this condition. Toxins released by the bacteria or fungus may cause direct tissue damage, and may lead to low blood pressure and poor organ function. These toxins also produce a vigorous inflammatory response from the body which contribute to septic shock.

Septicemia can begin with spiking fevers and chills, rapid breathing and heart rate, the outward appearance of being seriously ill (toxic) and feeling of impending doom. These symptoms rapidly progress to shock with decrease body temperature (hypothermia), falling blood pressure, confusion or other changes in mental status, and blood-clotting abnormalities evidenced by hemorrhagic lesions in the skin (petechiae and ecchymosis).

Treatment

The patient should be immiediately brought to tertiary hospital and be admitted to an intensive care unit. Intravenous (IV) fluids should be given to maintain the blood pressure. Strong IV drugs called sympathomimethics are often needed to maintain the blood pressure . Oxygen therapy is begun to maintain oxygen saturation.

The infection is treated with broad spectrum antibiotics (those that are effective against a wide range of organisms ) before the organism is identified. Once culture have identified the specific organism , antibiotics for that organism are begun. Plasma may be needed to be infused for correction of clotting abnormalities.

Expectations

Septic shock has a high deth rate, exceeding 50%. The infecting organism and immediacy of hospitalization will determine the outcome. Septicemia is not common but is devastating and early recognition may prevent progression to shock.

Any person with fever, shaking chills and who looks acutely ill should be seen immediately as an emergency.

Any person with evidence of bleeding into his skin should be seen immediately as an emergency.

Any person who has been ill and has any changes in mental status should be seen immediately as an emergency.

Prevention

Appropriate treatment of localized infections can prevent septicemia Children who have have spleen removed or who have diseases that damage the spleen (such as sickle cell anemia) should receive pneumococcal vaccine is not part of the routine child hood immunization schedule .

Close contacts (parents, siblings, friends) of septic children with certain organisms such as pneumoccoccus, meningococcus, and Hemophilus may require preventive antibiotic therapy.

This will be prescribed by a doctor and the type of antibiotic will be determined by the organism involved.

Source: From the article entitled "Health Tips from Sir Ridan" of The Philippine Current Science & Technology which is researched , developedand designed for publication by ES Design Philippines.