It could begin with a small cut but quickly turn into a life-threatening situation. Dr. Asif Saberi, a critical care specialist at Piedmont Hospital, shares more about this serious condition and what you really need to know.
What is sepsis?
According to Asif Saberi, M.D., a critical care specialist and pulmonologist, “The body has its own ability to respond to an infection or any other assault. “Sometimes its response is so vigorous that it results in a detriment to the body’s own function,” he says. “That, when accompanied by an infection, is what we call sepsis.”
Dr. Saberi says our body’s response to even a minor infection can cause systemic inflammatory response syndrome. This occurs when the body’s inflammatory response becomes so exaggerated that it actually begins to harm itself.
The signs and symptoms of sepsis
At this point, says Dr. Saberi, sepsis ensues, resulting in low blood pressure, decreased perfusion to the organs and shock. You should be aware of several symptoms of sepsis.
“If you have a minor cut, for example, localized redness, swelling, warmth and discharge are all things that you should be very concerned about,” Dr. Saberi says. “Similarly, with any other illness that results in fever, lethargy or breathlessness, those are things to be taken very seriously.”
Treatment and Survival
There is a critical window of time when a diagnosis needs to be made so treatment can be effective. “Sepsis is treatable in almost every case if detected early and treated vigorously,” he says.
The most important aspects of sepsis treatment are:
- Early recognition
- The institution of early antibiotics
- Giving IV fluids
- When the body does not produce adequate blood pressure, healthcare providers may prescribe medications that address the issue
Dr. Saberi also notes that new therapies are currently being tested and reviewed. In fact, some have been shown to be beneficial in specific cases of sepsis.
For more information, visit SurvivingSepsis.org.
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