Sepsis

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Sepsis is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

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New on the MedlinePlus Sepsis page:

Procalcitonin Test

05/01/2018 03:50 PM EDT

Summary

Sepsis is a serious illness. It happens when your body has an overwhelming immune response to a bacterial infection. The chemicals released into the blood to fight the infection trigger widespread inflammation. This leads to blood clots and leaky blood vessels. They cause poor blood flow, which deprives your body's organs of nutrients and oxygen. In severe cases, one or more organs fail. In the worst cases, blood pressure drops and the heart weakens, leading to septic shock.

Anyone can get sepsis, but the risk is higher in

People with weakened immune systems
Infants and children
The elderly
People with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, AIDS, cancer, and kidney or liver disease
People suffering from a severe burn or physical trauma

Common symptoms of sepsis are fever, chills, rapid breathing and heart rate, rash, confusion, and disorientation. Doctors diagnose sepsis using a blood test to see if the number of white blood cells is abnormal. They also do lab tests that check for signs of infection.

People with sepsis are usually treated in hospital intensive care units. Doctors try to treat the infection, sustain the vital organs, and prevent a drop in blood pressure. Many patients receive oxygen and intravenous (IV) fluids. Other types of treatment, such as respirators or kidney dialysis, may be necessary. Sometimes, surgery is needed to clear up an infection.

NIH: National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Start Here

Sepsis Fact Sheet (National Institute of General Medical Sciences)Also in Spanish
Sepsis Questions and Answers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Surviving Sepsis: Taming a Deadly Immune Response (National Institutes of Health)

Diagnosis and Tests

Bacteria Culture Test (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
Blood Culture Test (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Procalcitonin Test (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

CDC Vital Signs: Making Health Care Safer -- Think Sepsis. Time Matters.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)Also in Spanish

Specifics

Bacteremia (Merck & Co., Inc.)Also in Spanish
Blood Poisoning: When to See a Doctor (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Toxic Shock Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)