Sepsis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Sepsis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Write a short note on, toxemia, and pyaemia.

Answer.

Toxemia

Distribution throughout the body of poisonous product of bacteria growing in a focal or local site, thus producing generalized symptoms such as: fever, diarrhea, vomiting.

“Step-By-Step Guide To Recognizing Sepsis Symptoms”

Clinical Features

• Intermittent high-grade pyrexia (fever)
• Rigors and chills.
• Jaundice due to liver damage.
• Peripheral circulatory failure.
• Intravascular coagulation.
• Patient may go into septic shock.
• Septic shock is secondary to sepsis; it is characterized by inadequate perfusion of tissue.
• The septic shock diffrs from all other forms of shock by having hot stage before cold stage.

“Causes Of Sepsis Infection”

Treatment

• Management of primary focus of infection.
• Broad-spectrum antibodies are given.
• Blood and flid transfusion to correct septic shock.
• Injection of hydrocortisone in case of septic shock may be useful.

“Best Ways To Prevent Sepsis”

Pyaemia

Presence of multiplying bacteria in blood as emboli which spread and lodge in diffrent organs in the body like liver, lungs,kidneys, spleen, brain causing pyaemic abscess.

This may lead to multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). It may endanger life, if not treated properly.

Clinical Features

• Fever with chills and rigors
• Jaundice, oliguria, drowsiness
• Hypotension, peripheral circulatory collapse and later coma with MODS

Common Causes

• Urinary infection (most common)
• Biliary tract infection.
• Lower respiratory tract infection.
• Abdominal sepsis of any cause.
• Sepsis in diabetics and immunosuppressed individuals such as HIV, steroid therapy.

“Risk Factors For Developing Sepsis”

Investigations

• Total leucocyte count, platelet count
• Biliary tract infection
• Pus, blood and urine culture depending on the need.
• Blood urea, serum creatinine
• Liver function tests, prothrombin time
• Chest X-ray, USG abdomen
• CT chest/abdomen/brain as needed
• Arterial blood gas analysis, if needed

“Early Signs Of Sepsis”

Treatment

• Monitoring of vital parametres
• Antibiotics mainly cephalosporins
• IV flids and maintenance of urine output.
• Hydrocortisone
• Blood and plasma transfusion
• Nasal oxygen, ventilator support, monitoring of pulmonary function.