Carenotes > Sepsis

Sepsis

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is sepsis? Sepsis is a serious condition that occurs when the body responds to an infection. It is also called systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Infection in sepsis is usually caused by bacteria (germs) that attack the body. Normally, the body's defense system fights off infection within the affected body part.

With sepsis, the body overreacts causing symptoms to occur throughout the body. This leads to an uncontrolled and widespread inflammation (swelling) and clotting in small blood vessels. Blood flow to different body parts is then decreased, and may lead to organ failure (loss of function). Sepsis often requires immediate treatment to ensure recovery.

What causes sepsis? Any kind of infection anywhere in the body can trigger sepsis. Sepsis can strike anyone at any age, but you may be at higher risk if:

• You are confined in a hospital.
  
  
• You are very young or very old.
  
  
• You have a genetic tendency for sepsis.
  
  
• You have a weakened immune system.
  
  
• You have had surgery.
  
  
• You have an infection or medical condition.
  
  
• You have severe injuries, such as large burns.

What are the signs and symptoms of sepsis? You may have one or more of the following:

• Chills or severe shaking.
  
  
• Confusion.
  
  
• Fast breathing.
  
  
• Fast or irregular heartbeat.
  
  
• Fever or hypothermia (very low body temperature).
  
  
• Passing little to no urine.
  
  
• Unusually low blood pressure.

How is sepsis diagnosed? You may have one or more of the following tests:

• Blood gases: This test is also called an arterial blood gas or ABG test. Blood is taken from an artery (blood vessel) in your wrist, arm, or groin. The groin is the area where your abdomen meets your upper leg. Your blood is tested for the amount of "gases" in it, such as oxygen, acids, and carbon dioxide.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Urine sample: A sample of your urine is collected and sent to a lab for tests. Your caregiver may give you a special wipe and clean cup. Use the wipe to clean the skin around the opening where you pass urine. Urinate into the clean cup. Put the lid on the cup. Do not touch the inside of the cup or the lid. Give the urine sample to your caregiver.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.

How is sepsis treated? Sepsis is a serious condition. Treatments are often done in an intensive care or critical care unit of a hospital. You may need one or more of the following:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
    
    
  • Heart medicine: This medicine may be given to make your heart beat stronger or more regularly. There are many different kinds of heart medicines. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your medicine is and why you are taking it.
    
    
  • Recombinant human activated protein C: This is also called "rhAPC". This medicine breaks apart blood clots and prevents swelling.
    
    
  • Steroids: Steroid medicine may be given to decrease inflammation, which is redness, pain, and swelling.
  
  
• Surgery: You may also need surgery to treat problems causing sepsis.

How can I find support and more information? Having sepsis is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have sepsis is hard. You and those close to you may feel confused, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Contact the following for more information:

• Society of Critical Care Medicine
  701 Lee Street, Suite 200
  Des Plaines, IL 60016
  Phone: 1-847-8276869
  Web Address: http://www.sccm.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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