Sepsis or sepsis: when germs invade the body
Where do germs come from? The front door of infection is very variable. The term sepsis is now replaced by sepsis. can develop from a respiratory infection (e.g., pneumonia), digestive infection (peritonitis), urinary tract infection (sometimes caused by probes) or genital infection. It can also be of skin origin, such as with a badly treated wound, a boil or even a panaris. Most of the time, sepsis is therefore linked to bacteria, but viruses and yeasts can also be the cause.
The evolution of the infection is initially silent. The germ is present in the body without any visible symptoms. Subsequently, the immune system recognizes the intruder, it reacts by releasing different substances into the blood. The inflammatory reaction will result, depending on the germ, either by a fever or, on the contrary, by a drop in temperature. Sepsis, which is insidious in evolution, is all the more serious in very young children, the elderly or those with a more fragile defence system.
Tension drop. Then, a cascade of events follow one another and when the immune system is exceeded, it reacts badly: the released substances dilate the vessels, resulting in blood circulation slowing down, and blood pressure dropping.
Septic shock. At this stage, the patient's life is in danger, sepsis progresses to septic shock. The responsible germ must then be identified to give the right treatment. And in any case, look for the front door of the infection. If the location is deep, as may be the case for some abscesses, surgical treatment is essential to eradicate the infectious outbreak.
The chances of recovery depend on the number of organs harmed by the infection, but also on the body's response to treatment. The faster the infection is treated, the more likely the patient is to survive. If it is taken care of late, the consequences can be serious, it can leave a legacy. For example, kidney or heart failure. It can even degenerate into gangrene and lead to amputation. In the most extreme cases, the patient may die. Septic shock remains the leading cause of death in resuscitation (40% of patients).
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of sepsis. Most of the time, it doesn't exceed a week. On the other hand, recovery can last up to two months.
How do I detect sepsis? What is his care? How can we treat elderly people with the condition? Answers on video.
The evolution of the infection is initially silent. The germ is present in the body without any visible symptoms. Subsequently, the immune system recognizes the intruder, it reacts by releasing different substances into the blood. The inflammatory reaction will result, depending on the germ, either by a fever or, on the contrary, by a drop in temperature. Sepsis, which is insidious in evolution, is all the more serious in very young children, the elderly or those with a more fragile defence system.
Tension drop. Then, a cascade of events follow one another and when the immune system is exceeded, it reacts badly: the released substances dilate the vessels, resulting in blood circulation slowing down, and blood pressure dropping.
Septic shock. At this stage, the patient's life is in danger, sepsis progresses to septic shock. The responsible germ must then be identified to give the right treatment. And in any case, look for the front door of the infection. If the location is deep, as may be the case for some abscesses, surgical treatment is essential to eradicate the infectious outbreak.
The chances of recovery depend on the number of organs harmed by the infection, but also on the body's response to treatment. The faster the infection is treated, the more likely the patient is to survive. If it is taken care of late, the consequences can be serious, it can leave a legacy. For example, kidney or heart failure. It can even degenerate into gangrene and lead to amputation. In the most extreme cases, the patient may die. Septic shock remains the leading cause of death in resuscitation (40% of patients).
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of sepsis. Most of the time, it doesn't exceed a week. On the other hand, recovery can last up to two months.
How do I detect sepsis? What is his care? How can we treat elderly people with the condition? Answers on video.