Bacterial infections are most often to blame for sepsis. But it can also happen because of other infections. It can begin anywhere bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses enter your body, even something as small as a hangnail. An infection of the bone, called osteomyelitis, could lead to sepsis.
Some symptoms associated with blood infections or sepsis are: Severe pain in the body. Rash or blotchy skin. Sweaty or clammy skin.
Bloodstream infections include infective endocarditis, central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections, primary bacteremia, and those with secondary bacteremia due to focal infections including abscesses, osteomyelitis, urinary tract infections, or pneumonia (Fig. 2.1).
Staphylococcus, streptococcus, and enterococcus species are the most important and most common species of gram-positive bacteria that can enter the bloodstream. These bacteria are normally found on the skin or in the gastrointestinal tract.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi can enter the bloodstream in many ways, for example: Abscessed tooth. Germs on medical equipment (such as surgical tools and needles). Kidney infection.
Treatment includes antibiotics, managing blood flow to organs, and treating the source of the infection. Many people need oxygen and IV (intravenous) fluids to help get blood flow and oxygen to the organs. Depending on the person, help with breathing with a ventilator or kidney dialysis may be needed.
Many who survive recover completely. But others have lasting problems, including permanent organ damage and thinking difficulties (such as problems with planning, organizing, and multitasking). Sepsis can be triggered by many types of infections.
Most people make a full recovery from sepsis. But it can take time. You might continue to have physical and emotional symptoms. These can last for months, or even years, after you had sepsis.
Severe Sepsis Recovery
Severe sepsis requires immediate treatment in the critical care area for a period of one month or more. Recovery is achievable, but it takes a longer time. Many individuals are known to have regained normal health after severe sepsis without residual dysfunctions.
Sepsis and bloodstream infections are 2 distinct but related entities, with sepsis requiring not only an infection but also a maladaptive host response and organ dysfunction.
This can cause vital organs to shut down. This usually starts with the kidneys. Blood pressure can drop dangerously low. This can cause less oxygen and nutrients to reach your kidneys.
Sepsis can develop quickly from initial infection and progress to septic shock in as little as 12 to 24 hours.1 You may have an infection that's not improving or you could even be sick without realizing it.
Sometimes however, you may have an infection and not know it, and not have any symptoms. Keep this in mind especially if you have recently had surgery or an invasive medical procedure, a break in your skin, or you have been exposed to someone who is ill.
Most people recover from mild sepsis, but the mortality rate for septic shock is about 30% to 40%. Also, an episode of severe sepsis raises the risk for future infections.
The last most common misconception related to sepsis is that infections aren't serious. Unfortunately, infections can be very serious because they can trigger sepsis, which kills more people in the United States than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and AIDS – combined.
Bloodstream infections (BSI) represent 40% of cases of community-acquired (CA) and hospital-acquired (HA) sepsis and septic shock and approximately 20% of the ICU-acquired cases (Table 1). It is invariably associated with poor outcomes especially when adequate antimicrobial therapy and source control are delayed [1–3].
In some cases, and often very quickly, severe sepsis or septic shock can develop. Symptoms include: feeling dizzy or faint. confusion or disorientation.
This snapshot summarizes median LOS metrics for sepsis hospitalizations by year during the same surveillance period (Figure). The median LOS for sepsis was 5 days for the period from 2011 through 2017 and declined to 4 days for the years 2018 and 2019. In 2020, the median LOS increased back to 5 days.
As sepsis worsens or septic shock develops, an early sign, particularly in older people or the very young, may be confusion or decreased alertness. Blood pressure decreases, yet the skin is paradoxically warm. Later, extremities become cool and pale, with peripheral cyanosis and mottling.
However, there might be other symptoms related to sepsis based on where the infection is. Abdominal pain is one such symptom.
Sepsis is known as the 'silent killer' because its symptoms often mimic that of other illnesses such as the flu or gastro. But, if it is identified and treated early, patients can recover.
A person with sepsis might have one or more of the following signs or symptoms: High heart rate or weak pulse. Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold. Confusion or disorientation.