Sepsis

About Sepsis

Sepsis is a life threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. It affects approximately 49 million people worldwide annually, causing approximately 11 million deaths representing 20 percent of all global deaths. Common sources include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, abdominal infections appendicitis, peritonitis, skin infections cellulitis, and central line infections. The transition from infection to sepsis involves excessive inflammation, immune suppression, coagulation abnormalities, and endothelial dysfunction. The qSOFA quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score respiratory rate 22 or more, altered mentation, systolic BP 100 or less helps clinicians flag patients at risk at the bedside. Symptoms include fever or hypothermia, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion, reduced urine output, mottled skin, and in severe cases, septic shock with dangerously low blood pressure unresponsive to fluids. Possible signs of sepsis, such as confusion or slurred speech, mottled or bluish skin, severe breathlessness, or passing no urine, are a medical emergency; call your local emergency number. Hospital treatment follows bundles such as the Surviving Sepsis Campaign hour 1 bundle, including measuring lactate, taking blood cultures, giving broad spectrum antibiotics promptly, intravenous fluids, and vasopressors such as norepinephrine for persistent low blood pressure. Septic shock requires ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy may be needed. Hospital mortality exceeds about 10 percent for sepsis and 40 percent for septic shock despite optimal care. Rapid recognition and treatment are critical, with each hour of delayed antibiotic treatment increasing mortality.