Sepsis

Sepsis is a severe life-threatening response to infection that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body’s response to an infection spirals out of control and leads to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death.

Despite advances in medical care, sepsis is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In Miami and across the world, it poses a major challenge to healthcare. Understanding the condition is key to spotting it early and getting the proper treatment.

What Is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a medical emergency that happens when the immune system overreacts to infection, which can cause inflammation and damage to organs and tissues. This excessive response can lead to septic shock, a condition where blood pressure drops dangerously low and could lead to organ failure.

Anyone can develop sepsis from an infection, but the elderly and infants, and those with compromised or weakened immune symptoms are more vulnerable. The condition develops quickly and needs immediate medical attention.

How Does Sepsis Develop?

Sepsis begins with an infection. It could be something common like a urinary tract infection (UTI) or an infected cut, or it can happen in the aftermath of a catastrophic injury. When bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the bloodstream, the immune system kicks into gear to fight off the invaders.

Normally, this immune response is contained, but sometimes, the body triggers a full-scale inflammatory reaction that affects organs beyond the site of the infection. The overreaction releases chemicals into the blood that travel throughout the body. Inflammation can restrict blood flow to vital organs like the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart.

If it’s left untreated, sepsis can progress into septic shock. As the condition gets worse, blood pressure drops dangerously low, and organs aren’t able to get as much blood as they need. This could ultimately lead to multi-organ failure and even death.

Most people are able to recover when their sepsis is mild. Septic shock, on the other hand, has a mortality rate of about 30% to 40%. Additionally, once a person has had sepsis, they have a higher chance of getting it again.

Risk Factors and Early Symptoms

Several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing sepsis, including:

• Age (people over 65 and infants are more at risk)
• Chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, or kidney disease
• Suppressed immune system, usually through medications like chemotherapy or viral infections like HIV
• Hospitalization and recovering from surgery or being in the ICU 
• A history of previous serious infections

Recognizing sepsis early can be tough because the initial symptoms tend to be vague and can mimic other illnesses. 

Some of the early signs include:

• High or very low body temperature (fever or hypothermia)
• Rapid heartbeat or breathing
• Confusion or disorientation
• Extreme pain or discomfort
• Shivering, chills, or clammy skin
• Sweating for no obvious reason
• Feeling lightheaded
• Shortness of breath
• Low urine output

These symptoms often show up quickly and get worse over time. 

If sepsis turns into septic shock, the symptoms can become more severe and could involve:

• Dizziness or fainting
• Drastic drop in blood pressure
• Slurred speech
• Not being able to stand up
• Cold, pale, or mottled skin
• Trouble staying awake or extreme drowsiness

If any of these symptoms are present, get to the hospital immediately. Early detection and treatment are important for improving survival rates.

Diagnosis

Healthcare providers use a combination of several different methods to diagnose sepsis because there’s no single test to confirm its presence. The process typically starts with an overview of the patient’s medical history and a physical exam. Blood tests are usually done to check for an infection, inflammation, or unusual organ function.

Other diagnostic tools include:

• Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds
• Blood cultures to detect the type of bacteria or virus that’s causing the infection
• Lactate levels to gauge the severity of the infection
• Urine tests to check for UTIs

Doctors rely on a combination of these tests to figure out how bad the infection is and decide on the best way to treat it.

Treatment

Sepsis is a medical emergency, and immediate treatment is needed to prevent further damage. 

Treatment typically involves:

• Broad-spectrum antibiotics to get rid of any bacteria causing the infection
• IV fluids to stabilize blood pressure and keep blood flowing to vital organs
• Vasopressors if blood pressure drops dangerously low
• Oxygen therapy if the patient is having trouble breathing
• Surgery to remove infected tissue or abscesses if they’re the source of the infection

Surviving sepsis is only part of the challenge. Even after treatment, many people have to deal with long-term effects in the aftermath. 

This might include:

• Organ dysfunction occurs if organs have been damaged
• Fatigue and muscle weakness requiring physical therapy for recovery
• Cognitive issues like memory loss, trouble concentrating, or confusion (known as post-sepsis syndrome)
• Emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder

Every infection is different, so no one is guaranteed to experience all of this after dealing with sepsis. Your doctor will be able to help guide you toward the best forms of treatment and coping with the aftermath.

Prevention

The best treatment is always prevention, so it’s best to try to reduce the risk of getting sepsis in the first place. 

You can help improve your chances of avoiding an overreaction to an infection by:

• Staying up to date on vaccinations
• Practicing good hygiene through hand washing and proper wound care
• Seeking treatment immediately for any infections, especially if you have a weakened immune system or chronic health condition
• Staying vigilant about preventing acquired infections if you have to spend time in the hospital

Living in Miami, people are exposed to a unique healthcare environment where both tropical infections and hospital-acquired infections are prevalent. With warm weather all year, bacterial and fungal infections can spread much more easily than in other parts of the country, so it’s vital to know how to recognize infections and act on them quickly.

Stay Alert: Protect Yourself and Others

Sepsis is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention. By knowing the early signs and getting prompt treatment, the risk of long-term damage or death from an overreaction by your immune system can be greatly minimized. However, it can still sneak up without warning.

If you or a loved one has suffered from sepsis because of someone else’s negligent behavior or delayed medical treatment, contact Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers in Miami at (305) 937-0191 to schedule a free consultation of your case. You deserve to know your rights and explore your options for compensation.