Sepsis what is it signs and symptoms

There are more than 1. This type of infection kills more than , Americans a year. There are three stages of sepsis: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. The earlier you seek treatment, the greater your chances of survival. You must have one or more of the following signs to be diagnosed with severe sepsis:.

Symptoms of septic shock include the symptoms of severe sepsis, plus a very low blood pressure. Although sepsis is potentially life-threatening, the illness ranges from mild to severe.

Septic shock has close to a 50 percent mortality rate, according to the Mayo Clinic. Having a case of severe sepsis increases your risk of a future infection. Severe sepsis or septic shock can also cause complications. Small blood clots can form throughout your body. These clots block the flow of blood and oxygen to vital organs and other parts of your body. This increases the risk of organ failure and tissue death gangrene. Any infection can trigger sepsis, but the following types of infections are more likely to cause sepsis:.

According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences , the number of sepsis cases in the United States increases every year. Possible reasons for the increase include:. Although some people have a higher risk of infection, anyone can get sepsis. People who are at risk include:. Neonatal sepsis is when your baby gets a blood infection within the first month of life.

Neonatal sepsis is classified based on the timing of the infection, according to whether the infection was contracted during the birth process early onset or after birth late onset.

This helps the doctor decide what kind of treatment to administer. Low birth weight and premature babies are more susceptible to late onset sepsis because their immune systems are immature. Important Sepsis is life threatening. It can be hard to spot. Urgent advice: Call if:. People with recent severe illness or hospitalization. Sepsis survivors. Children younger than one. High heart rate or low blood pressure. Confusion or disorientation. Extreme pain or discomfort. Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold.

Shortness of breath. Clammy or sweaty skin. A medical assessment by a healthcare professional is needed to confirm sepsis. Fact Sheets Print Only. Get Email Updates. Intravenous antibiotics are usually replaced by tablets after two to four days. You may have to take them for 7 to 10 days or longer, depending on the severity of your condition.

There won't usually be time to wait until a specific type of infection has been identified, so broad-spectrum antibiotics are given first. These are designed to work against a wide range of known infectious bacteria and usually cure most common infections. If the sepsis is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't work.

Antibiotics are usually given anyway because it would be too dangerous to delay treatment until tests confirm the specific cause. With a viral infection, you'll need to wait until your immune system starts to tackle the infection, although antiviral medication may be given in some cases.

If you have sepsis, your body needs increased amounts of fluid to prevent dehydration and kidney failure. You'll usually be given fluids intravenously during the first 24 to 48 hours after admission if you have severe sepsis or septic shock. It's important that the doctors know how much urine your kidneys are making when you have sepsis so they can spot signs of kidney failure.

If you're admitted with severe sepsis or septic shock, you'll usually have a catheter inserted into your bladder to monitor your urine output. If you're admitted to hospital with sepsis and the level of oxygen in your blood is low, you'll usually be given oxygen. This is either given through a mask or tubes in your nostrils. If a source of the infection can be identified, such as an abscess or infected wound, this will also need to be treated.

For example, any pus may need to be drained away or, in more serious cases, surgery may be needed to remove the infected tissue and repair any damage. Medications called vasopressors are used if you have low blood pressure caused by sepsis. Vasopressors are normally given intravenously while you're in an ICU.

Extra fluids may also be given intravenously to help increase blood pressure. Home Illnesses and conditions Blood and lymph Sepsis. Sepsis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About sepsis 2.

Causes of sepsis 3. Treating for sepsis. About sepsis Sepsis is a rare but serious complication of an infection. Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

Sepsis symptoms in children under five Sepsis symptoms in older children and adults Tests to diagnose sepsis Treatments for sepsis Recovering from sepsis Who's at risk?

Sepsis symptoms in older children and adults Early symptoms of sepsis may include: a high temperature fever or low body temperature chills and shivering a fast heartbeat fast breathing In some cases, symptoms of more severe sepsis or septic shock when your blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level develop soon after.

These can include: feeling dizzy or faint a change in mental state — such as confusion or disorientation diarrhoea nausea and vomiting slurred speech severe muscle pain severe breathlessness less urine production than normal — for example, not urinating for a day cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin loss of consciousness When to get medical help Seek urgent medical advice from your GP if you've recently had an infection or injury and you have possible signs of sepsis, and ask 'is this sepsis?

Tests to diagnose sepsis Sepsis is often diagnosed based on simple measurements such as your temperature, heart rate and breathing rate. These include: urine or stool samples a wound culture — where a small sample of tissue, skin or fluid is taken from the affected area for testing respiratory secretion testing — taking a sample of saliva, phlegm or mucus blood pressure tests imaging studies — such as an X-ray , ultrasound scan or computerised tomography CT scan Treatments for sepsis If sepsis is detected early and hasn't affected vital organs yet, it may be possible to treat the infection at home with antibiotics.