Sepsis in Adults

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is sepsis? " пїЅ Sepsis is a serious illness that happens when an infection travels through the whole body. Sepsis can happen in anyone, but it is more likely to happen in people who: пїЅ пїЅ

Are older or bedridden
Are staying in the hospital or have had recent surgery
Have thin tubes such as catheters or IVs in their body
Have a weak infection-fighting system (for example because they are being treated for cancer)

Sepsis can come from an infection in any part of the body, but it is most often linked to infections in the: пїЅ пїЅ

Lungs (called pneumonia)
Kidneys (called urinary tract infection)
Skin (called cellulitis)
Bowel (called colitis) " пїЅ Sepsis caused by colitis is especially likely after a course of antibiotics.

Sepsis needs to be treated quickly. If it is not treated, it can become severe. Severe sepsis can lead to a life-threatening condition called "septic shock. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of sepsis? " пїЅ Symptoms of sepsis can include: пїЅ пїЅ

A fever " пїЅ But some people get a low body temperature instead of a fever.
Chills
Breathing that is very fast
A heartbeat that is very fast

Symptoms of severe sepsis can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Acting confused or feeling light-headed
Trouble breathing
Cool clammy skin or red flushed skin
Poor appetite
Urinating much less than usual
Different types of skin rashes " пїЅ One type is a lacy, purple rash that is usually on the legs, but can also be on the arms. Another rash looks like red or purple spots on the skin that do not go away when touched. These spots are usually on the chest and legs, but can also be in other areas.
Other problems with the heart, kidneys, or brain

People who have septic shock have many of the symptoms listed above, plus their blood pressure gets low and they sometimes pass out. пїЅ пїЅ

Should I see the doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Yes, as soon as possible. Sepsis can develop when you are at home or in the hospital. In either case, you (or the person with you) should call the doctor or nurse if you: пїЅ пїЅ

Have a fever and chills, and have any of the symptoms above or look very sick
Have had a recent surgery or hospital stay, and now are sick or have an infection

If your doctor or nurse is unable to see you immediately, or you cant reach him or her, you should go to the nearest emergency room. пїЅ пїЅ

Will I have tests? " пїЅ Probably. Your doctor will learn about your symptoms and do an exam. He or she will likely do tests to look for an infection, see if the infection has spread to your blood, and see how serious your condition is. These tests can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Blood tests, including a test called "blood cultures " пїЅ
Urine tests
Lab tests " пїЅ For example, if you are coughing up mucus, your doctor can test your mucus for bacteria.
X-rays or imaging tests " пїЅ Imaging tests can create pictures of the inside of your body.

How is sepsis treated? " пїЅ Sepsis and septic shock are usually treated in the hospital with: пїЅ пїЅ

Antibiotics that go in your vein through an IV
Fluids that go in your vein through an IV
Other medicines to treat your condition " пїЅ For example, if your blood pressure is too low, your doctor can give you medicine to raise it.

If an IV or catheter in your body is causing your sepsis, your doctor might take the IV or catheter out. пїЅ пїЅ

Some people are also treated with surgery. If you have a severe infection of the skin or tissue under the skin, your doctor might do surgery to remove the infected areas.Some people with severe septic shock might need a blood transfusion. A blood transfusion is when a person gets blood that was given (donated) by another person. But this is rare. пїЅ пїЅ

Can sepsis be prevented? " пїЅ You can help prevent sepsis by: пїЅ пїЅ

Getting treated right away if you get an infection
Avoiding infections " пїЅ One way to avoid infections is to get the vaccines your doctor recommends. Vaccines are treatments that can prevent serious infections. If you have a child, make sure he or she gets the recommended vaccines, too.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 16928 Version 6.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Sepsis in Adults

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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