The skin and your immune system are barriers to keeping disease-causing germs at bay. However, sometimes an infection spreads to your circulatory system and cannot be stopped. This is known as Sepsis.
Due to the complex vascular system of the body, blood infection has wide-ranging effects. The immune system releases an exceptionally high volume of molecules that impact the entire body. This highlights the significance of timely and efficient blood infection treatment.

Causes and Risk Factors for Sepsis

Most frequently, bacterial infections are to blame for Sepsis. It can start anywhere bacteria, parasites, fungus, viruses, or even something as small as a hangnail enter your body.
Sepsis may result from an infection of the bone called osteomyelitis. Even when someone is hospitalized, Bacteria may infiltrate patients’ bodies through IV lines, surgical wounds, and urine catheters.
Following are a few typical sources of infections that might result in Sepsis:

• stomach infection
• unclean bug bite
• central line infection, such as that caused by a chemotherapy or dialysis catheter
• extractions from the mouth or diseased teeth
• failure to change a surgical bandage frequently enough or to expose a covered incision to microorganisms during the healing process after surgery
• Any open wound that is exposed to the environment
• drug-resistant bacterium infection
• infection of the kidney or urinary system
• pneumonia
• skin disease

Who is susceptible to Sepsis?

• The very young (under age 18), the very old (above age 65), or women who are pregnant
• Individuals who already have pre-existing infections or illnesses, including diabetes, lung disease, cancer, or renal disease
• Those whose immune systems are compromised
• Those who are hospitalized, patients
• Those who have sustained severe wounds or burns
• Patients that have breathing tubes or catheters (IVs, urine catheters)

How is Sepsis identified?

• Presence of symptoms of septicemia.
• Blood tests to find a bacterium, virus, or fungus.

Depending on your symptoms, you might require additional tests to look for damage to tissues and organs.

How is Sepsis Treated?

Your doctor will likely keep you in the intensive care unit of the hospital (ICU). Your medical staff will seek to manage your blood pressure, keep your organs functioning, and stop the infection. Extra oxygen and intravenous fluids can also assist with this.
Antibiotics with a broad spectrum of activity may combat bacterial infections early on. Your doctor can treat your Sepsis by administering medication targeting the bacterium making you sick. Vasopressors, which narrow your blood vessels, are frequently prescribed by doctors to lower blood pressure. You could also get insulin to control your blood sugar or corticosteroids to fight inflammation. If your condition is severe, you may require further treatments, such as a breathing machine or renal dialysis. Alternatively, you might require surgery to drain or remove an infection.