Sepsis is a situation where your body responds severely to an infection. Your body’s immune system is designed to protect you from germs, but when you suffer from sepsis, the immune system releases excess chemicals to the body. The resulting effect is full-body inflammation. You could suffer from organ damage since your blood clots and reduces blood flow to essential areas. Some cases of sepsis are so severe that the body could suffer from shock. Here are some signs that a Texas doctor will use to identify sepsis.
Causes and risk factors to sepsis
Sepsis is mostly caused by bacterial inflammation. Although it can still be due to other infections, bacterial, fungal and viral are the main infections. Hospitalized people could suffer from sepsis if their wounds, bed sores or IV lines are infected. The largest demographic who could suffer from sepsis includes:
- People with a weak immune system
- Young children
- Pregnant women
- The elderly
- Hospitalized people
- People with diabetes
Symptoms of sepsis
Since it can originate from any body part, sepsis has a variety of symptoms. Confusion and increased breathing rate are, however, the most common. Other symptoms include:
- Low body temperature
- Diarrhea
- Severe pain
- Sweating
- Chills and fever
- Vomiting and nausea
- Overall body fatigue
Treatment
Once you are diagnosed with sepsis, your doctor will likely recommend an ICU admission. The main work of the medical team will be to halt the infection from spreading to other body organs, managing your blood pressure, and ensuring that your organs are working. You may need supplemental oxygen and IV fluids. Taking antibiotics will help in reducing the effect of bacteria. Additionally, to increase your blood pressure, the doctor may recommend vasopressors. In severe cases, you may require kidney dialysis or a breathing machine.
It’s possible for a doctor to misdiagnose sepsis or fail to treat the condition properly, leading to further harm. If you are facing this situation, you may want to consult an attorney for more guidance on filing a compensation claim.
