Be aware of the dangers of sepsis, a fatal infection that can be fatal

Infection can affect anyone indiscriminately. Normally, the infection will be fought by the immune system until the body returns to health. However, in some cases, infection can actually lead to other problems, such as sepsis. Sepsis is an emergency condition that requires immediate medical attention. For more details, see the following review of sepsis.

Sepsis is dangerous blood poisoning

Sepsis is a condition that occurs when a chemical produced by the immune system enters the bloodstream triggers inflammation. Even though it should, these chemicals work to help the body fight incoming infections. This inflammation eventually causes blood poisoning, which affects bodily functions and damages your organ systems.

Any infection is actually a risk of causing sepsis, but most cases of sepsis are more often caused by stomach infections, kidney infections, skin infections, bloodstream infections, and lung infections (pneumonia).

People who have sepsis will usually show signs and symptoms in the form of:

• Have an infectious condition
• Fever above 38 degrees Celsius or body temperature below 36 degrees Celsius
• Heart rate above 90 beats per minute
• Respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths per minute

In more severe cases, these symptoms can be a sign that sepsis has entered a severe category. You may start to experience skin patches, urinate infrequently, have trouble breathing, feel tired frequently, and so on.

Do not delay to see a doctor immediately if you experience conditions similar to those above. The earlier treatment you get, the better your chances of survival are.

What is the appropriate treatment for sepsis?

The first step that a doctor will take to detect sepsis is to observe the signs and symptoms that appear. Your entire medical history will also be considered further, especially if you have had a condition that is at risk of causing sepsis, for example, having undergone a surgical procedure, had an infectious disease, or had low immunity.

If this is suspicious, your doctor may order blood tests to check for infection in the body.

In addition, a urine test to find out bacteria in the urine, a wound secretion test to check for infection from an open wound, and a mucus secretion test to find germs or bacteria that cause infection, can also be done to confirm the results of the test.

After testing positive for sepsis, the first treatment you will get is to routinely be given antibiotics which aim to treat bacterial infections.

But not just any antibiotics that can be given. Antibiotics will still be adjusted according to the type of infection and the bacteria causing it. That is why it is important to undergo a series of special tests for sepsis in order to be diagnosed properly.

In addition to giving antibiotics, you will also be provided with a series of treatments to inhibit the progression of the disease as well as speed up healing. Some of the treatments that are usually given to sepsis patients are intravenous fluids (infusion), vasopressors (making blood vessels narrow), ventilators (when oxygen in the body decreases), to surgery.

Can sepsis be prevented?

Again, sepsis is not a trivial condition that can go unnoticed. The reason is, there are more than 30 million people who experience sepsis each year, reported by the WHO. In fact, one in three patients with sepsis in the hospital is declared dead.

Therefore, you should take precautions as early as possible to avoid this condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has summarized three main prevention of sepsis, including:

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and running water

The earliest and simplest step to prevent sepsis is not to skip washing your hands with soap and running water before or after doing something. Even though it seems trivial, this habit can help prevent infection from entering the body.

But not just soap, try to use an antiseptic soap that can optimize the cleaning process for your hands. Why? Because antiseptic hand soap contains special ingredients that are considered effective to reduce the risk of infection caused by germs such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other dangerous parasites.

Not only that, you are also advised to regularly wash your body from head to toe by taking a shower twice a day.

2. Recognize the symptoms of sepsis

Understanding the symptoms that indicate the presence of sepsis can help you and your loved ones get prompt medical care before the condition gets worse.

3. Follow infection prevention rules

Maintaining a healthy body can be started by always obeying all the health recommendations recommended by the doctor. This includes understanding how to properly treat a wound before it develops into an infection, following the prescribed vaccine schedule, and immediately consulting a doctor if any abnormal signs of infection appear.