What is Sepsis? Causes and Symptoms of Sepsis

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a medical condition that occurs when your body evokes a severe and extreme response towards an infection. If symptoms are left untreated, it could lead to dire consequences like organ failure or even death in extreme cases. Common causes of sepsis are bacterial infections or when an existing infection in the body sets off a chain reaction in the body, leading to the condition. More surprising causes of sepsis are irrational usage of antibiotics, which results in increased antibiotic resistance, rendering antibiotic treatments futile. It is important to note that it is a potentially life-threatening condition, so care must be taken to treat sepsis symptoms immediately. Usually, the septic medical condition begins with infected cuts which develop post-surgery, making those who recently went under the knife a high-risk group. Apart from these people, people with diabetes, people with chronic conditions, those with a weakened immune system, infants and pregnant women are prone to septic conditions. In severe cases, sepsis develops into septic shock, which leads to dangerously low blood pressure and multiple organ failure. It is diagnosed through physical tests, running lab tests, and imaging tests (such as X-rays) to locate the site of infection.  

What are the stages of sepsis?

Sepsis progresses in three stages:   

Sepsis: The infection starts to spread and makes your body react strongly.   

Severe Sepsis: This is the second stage of sepsis where the infection gets worse and starts to hurt your organs, often indicated by low blood pressure or difficulty breathing.   

Septic Shock: Severe sepsis with dangerously low blood pressure, leading to organ failure.

Causes of Sepsis

Simply put, as germs enter the body, it results in an infection – and when the infection is left untreated, it results in sepsis. While it is true that septic medical conditions may be potentially life-threatening in some cases, their severity ranges from mild to extremely severe. While it may occur after any bacterial, viral or fungal infection, someone who has had a bloodstream infection is under greater threat of developing sepsis and other resulting complications. Sepsis is more common in old age due to a weaker immune system and is seen more in the population aged over 65. In some cases, it can occur in people who have no clue that they had an infection. This is why regular medical check-ups are advised. Among the other sepsis causes is increased antibiotic resistance, which means that the ability of an antibiotic to treat the infection is significantly lowered.

Symptoms of Sepsis

Sepsis may occur after any bacterial, fungal or viral infection outbreak has already occurred. Examples of certain infections that may give way to sepsis include common skin infections, urinary tract infections, abdominal infections and pneumonia. Recently, with the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, it was noted that the patients of COVID were susceptible to sepsis, as they had been exposed to the virus. Exposure to catheters, such as urinary catheters and breathing tubes, may also introduce an infection into the body, so care is to be taken while using such invasive devices. While it may even occur in normal people, those who have a compromised or weakened immune system are more likely to develop septic shock or sepsis. Some septic poisoning symptoms to look out for are:

• A quickened heartbeat, more than 90 beats per minute
• A fever with a temperature higher than 101ºF (38ºC)
• A temperature below 96.8ºF (36ºC)
• Shivering or chills
• High breathing rate, with more than 20 breaths per minute
• Extreme discomfort and pain
• Low urine output
• Weak pulse
• Clamminess and sweaty skin
• Shortness of breath/hyperventilation

It is extremely important that if any of these symptoms are detected, they are immediately taken to a medical professional to run the required tests and treat the infection.

How is sepsis diagnosed?

There’s no single test for sepsis. That’s why doctors use a mix of findings — from physical exams, lab tests, X-rays and other checks — to find the infection (blood cultures) and diagnose sepsis.

Doctors may sometimes suspect sepsis at the bedside using a set of criteria — a tool called quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA). You might be diagnosed with sepsis if you have a confirmed or likely infection and at least two of these signs:

Low Blood Pressure: Top blood pressure reading less than 100 mmHg (millimetres of mercury).

Fast Breathing: Breathing rate faster than 22 breaths per minute.

Glasgow Coma Scale: A score of 15 or less on this scale, which checks your level of awareness.

Doctors will ask for more tests to find your infection and any organ damage. These tests may include:

Blood Tests: Complete blood count (CBC), blood cultures, and tests to check liver and kidney function, clotting issues, and electrolyte imbalances.

Blood Oxygen Levels: A test to measure the oxygen in your blood.

Urine Tests: Urinalysis and urine culture.

Imaging Tests: X-rays or CT scans.

How do you treat sepsis?

Sepsis treatment must start right away. The most crucial thing in sepsis care is quick diagnosis and prompt treatment.

If your doctor diagnoses you with sepsis, they’ll usually put you in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital for special care. You may get these treatments for sepsis:

Antibiotics: You’ll get antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection.

IV (intravenous) Fluids: You’ll need fluids to keep blood flowing to your organs and stop your blood pressure from dropping too low.

Vasopressor Medicines: These tighten blood vessels. In some cases, you may need them to reach a safe blood pressure.

Proper Supportive Care: If organs fail, you’ll need other sepsis treatments like dialysis for kidney failure or mechanical ventilation for breathing problems.

Surgery: You may need surgery to remove damaged tissue.

How to prevent sepsis?

Some of the ways to prevent sepsis are:

• Practise good hygiene, including handwashing.
• Keep cuts and other wounds clean, and cover them until healed.
• Stay up to date on recommended vaccines.
• Get routine medical care for long-term conditions.
• Seek medical help right away if you think you have an infection.

Frequently Ask Questions

Who does sepsis affect?

Sepsis can affect anyone with no preference of age and health condition. However, certain groups are at higher risk, including:

• Infants and young children
• Elderly individuals
• People with weakened immune systems
• Those with chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cancer, kidney disease)
• Individuals recovering from surgery or severe injuries

How common is sepsis?

Sepsis is more common than many people realise. Globally, it affects millions of people each year. It’s a leading cause of hospital deaths and a significant public health concern.

Is sepsis contagious?

Sepsis itself is not contagious. It’s a severe bodily response to an infection rather than an infectious disease. However, the underlying infections that can result in sepsis (such as pneumonia or UTIs) may be contagious. Proper hygiene and infection control measures can help prevent the spread of these infections.

How long can a person live with sepsis?

The duration of sepsis varies greatly depending on its severity, prompt treatment, and individual factors. Mild cases, when treated quickly, may resolve within days or weeks. Severe sepsis or septic shock can be life-threatening within hours if left untreated. Long-term survival rates improve significantly with early detection and appropriate medical care.

What will recovery be like if I survive sepsis?

Recovery from sepsis can be a long and challenging process. Many survivors experience:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Difficulty with daily activities
• Cognitive issues (e.g., memory problems, confusion)
• Emotional challenges (anxiety, depression)
• Increased risk of future infections