Recognize the symptoms of sepsis, a condition caused by blood poisoning due to infection

What are the characteristics and symptoms of sepsis that need to be watched out for?

The immune system has the main task of warding off incoming infections. Well, sepsis occurs when certain chemicals released by the immune system into the bloodstream to fight infection actually cause inflammation.

This is thought to be the result of a chemical response that is too excessive so that it even threatens the health of the body, which is at risk of causing blood poisoning. Gradually, this condition can interfere with the function of the organs in the body, which eventually leads to various symptoms of sepsis.

The symptoms of a person experiencing sepsis are not always the same because the stage of development of sepsis is divided into two categories, namely sepsis and septic shock.

Symptoms of sepsis

This category is an early feature of people who have recently experienced sepsis, including:

A high fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius, sometimes accompanied by chills
Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
Respiratory rate tends to be fast and difficult to regulate
Abnormal dryness production

Unfortunately, these symptoms of sepsis are often ignored or mistaken for symptoms of other diseases. The key is to pay attention to the appearance of symptoms of sepsis if you or someone you love has recently experienced an infection.

It never hurts to see a doctor if you feel one or more unusual symptoms appear.

Symptoms of septic shock

The characteristics shown in septic shock are not much different from sepsis. However, in this category the symptoms are also accompanied by a very low drop in blood pressure. Various complications can also arise due to the development of symptoms of sepsis and septic shock, which is the formation of blood clots all over the body.

These clots can block the flow of blood and oxygen to the organs in your body. As a result, the risk of experiencing organ failure and tissue death (gangrene) will also increase. Therefore, do not delay to seek medical help immediately, especially when sepsis occurs or has reached septic shock.

Sepsis can still be prevented, provided…

Sepsis is not a serious medical condition. Because there are many bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can easily infect a person's body, causing various serious infections. Starting from urinary tract infections, stomach infections, skin infections, and lung infections, especially for people with weak immune systems which make them more susceptible to infection.

But don't panic right away, knowing how to prevent sepsis can help you better maintain a healthy body and environment from the risk of spreading the infection.

The easiest way you can start by maintaining personal hygiene and those closest to you is by taking a shower regularly and washing your hands regularly. Yes, although it is often ignored, in fact hand washing plays an important role in reducing the spread of viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Remember, not just washing your hands with water, you should complete the hand washing process using soap and running water. If you want more optimal results, you can choose an antiseptic hand wash instead of hand washing soap which only excels because of its fragrant aroma.

Antiseptic hand soap has been equipped with special ingredients that can help reduce the risk of infection due to attack by dangerous germs. Make sure you scrub all parts of your hands, including your palms, backs of your hands, between your fingers and your nails, for about 15-20 seconds.

On the other hand, prevention of sepsis can be accompanied by fully understanding the intricacies of the symptoms and complying with all health recommendations given by doctors. For example, by not skipping the vaccine schedule and taking proper care if you have an open wound on the skin.