This helps the doctor decide what kind of treatment to administer. Low birth weight and premature babies are more susceptible to late onset sepsis because their immune systems are immature. While symptoms can be subtle and nonspecific, some signs include:. Neonatal sepsis is still a leading cause of infant death, but with early diagnosis and treatment, the baby will recover completely and have no other problems. With maternal universal screening and proper neonatal testing, the risk of neonatal sepsis has decreased significantly.
Since our immune system weakens as we age, seniors can be at risk for sepsis. In one studyTrusted Source , people over the age of 65 made up nearly 70 percent of sepsis cases. In addition, chronic illness, such as diabetes , kidney disease , cancer, high blood pressure , and HIV, are commonly found with those who have sepsis.
The most common types of infections to cause sepsis in seniors are respiratory like pneumonia or genitourinary like a urinary tract infection. Other infections can come with infected skin due to pressure sores or skin tearing.
While these infections might not be noticed for a while, confusion or disorientation is a common symptom to look for when identifying an infection in seniors. However, the pathogens that caused the original infection that lead to sepsis can be contagious.
If you have symptoms of sepsis, your doctor will order tests to make a diagnosis and determine the severity of your infection. One of the first tests is a blood test. Your blood is checked for complications like:. Depending on your symptoms and the results of your blood test, your doctor may order other tests, including:.
There are two tools, or sets of criteria, doctors use to determine the severity of your condition. One is the systemic inflammatory response syndrome SIRS. SIRS is defined when you meet two or more of the following criteria:. Another tool is the quick sequential organ failure assessment qSOFA. It uses the results of three criteria:. A positive qSOFA is determined if two or more of the above measurements are abnormal. The results of either of these assessments will help your doctor determine care.
Doctors use a number of medications to treat sepsis, including:. Severe sepsis may also require large amounts of IV fluids and a respirator for breathing. Dialysis might be necessary if the kidneys are affected. Kidneys help filter harmful wastes, salt, and excess water from the blood.
In dialysis, a machine performs these functions. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove the source of an infection. This includes draining a pus-filled abscess or removing infected tissue. On this Page. Is sepsis contagious? What causes sepsis?
Who is at risk? What should I do if I suspect sepsis? Fact Sheets. In a typical year: At least 1. Nearly , Americans die as a result of sepsis. Top of Page. Adults 65 or older. People with weakened immune systems. People with recent severe illness or hospitalization. Sepsis survivors. Children younger than one. High heart rate or low blood pressure. Confusion or disorientation. Individuals with sepsis are usually treated in the hospital and typically in the Intensive Care Unit. Doctors treat it with antibiotics as soon as possible.
Many patients receive oxygen and IV fluids to maintain normal blood oxygen levels and blood pressure. Other types of treatment, such as assisting breathing with a machine or kidney dialysis may be necessary. Sometimes surgery is required to remove tissue damaged by the infection. Many people who have sepsis recover completely, and their lives return to normal. But some may experience permanent organ damage. For example, if someone already has kidney problems, sepsis can lead to kidney failure that requires lifelong dialysis.
Thanks to protocols instituted by Cottage Health, the mortality rate for Sepsis is nearly half the national average. Anthony's Survival Story.
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