What Is Sepsis? Know Its Symptoms And Treatment
Sepsis refers to a severe and fatal condition that occurs with internal or external bacterial infection causing chills and lowering the blood pressure besides resulting in fever and diarrhea.
Sepsis can be treated with administration of antibiotics and several other medications depending upon the type of bacterial infection and affected body organs. The infection adversely affects the bloodstream of the body. It is also known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
Kids and those having a compromised immune system are susceptible to Sepsis. Many children with Sepsis may develop osteomyelitis which infects their bones. In adults the condition may result in Meningitis.
If Sepsis occurs due to internal infection it may lead to pneumonia or other fatal diseases like cancer and AIDS. If external infection is the cause behind Sepsis, the organisms start living in the lungs, liver, kidney and other important organs like gall bladder and bowel after entering the body by way of open wounds or cuts. After entering the human body the microorganisms do not remain confined to a specific body part or organ; rather they start spreading to other areas of the body through blood circulation.
Sepsis may occur due to strong medications. Even improper administration of antibiotic is considered as one of the major causes behind Sepsis.
Symptoms of Sepsis
The symptoms vary in accordance with the severity of infection. The symptoms can be visible through body’s autoimmune response or toxic products which are created by microorganisms.
A person with Sepsis may have low blood pressure besides experiencing an increase in heartbeats.
The body temperature in a person with Sepsis may either be very low or high.
Body shaking, red eruption on the skin, pain in joints, diarrhea and dizziness are other symptoms of Sepsis.
Treatments
Taking into consideration the bacterium causing Sepsis and affected body parts, your doctor may prescribe certain antibiotics and vasopressors for stabilizing and regulating the blood pressure.
Activated protein C is also considered as another effective medication for Sepsis. It helps regulate the autoimmune responses of the body; through it may cause bleeding as side effect.
Corticosteroids, insulin and other pain killers that are available over-the-counter are other medications for Sepsis.
