Sepsis - Septicemia

What is Sepsis-septicemia?

Sepsis is the term used for the condition wherein the whole body of the patient is swollen as a result of an infection, which is caused by the presence of toxic substances or microorganisms. The markers of sepsis are rise in the heart rate and an abnormal temperature. Initially it was considered as a broad case of Septicemia though now septicemia is considered to be a subset of Sepsis. Sepsis can be stimulated from minor problems like influenza or flu. Sepsis is not fatal, most of the times but then it occurs when the natural defense mechanism of the body hyper reacts and results into inflammation of the entire body and clotting of blood in the vessels.

Signs and Symptoms of Sepsis- septicemia

As stated earlier that Sepsis results in the inflammation of the body, in also includes the symptoms and signs included with the infection that has been the cause. At times the microorganisms enter the body through cuts and openings after surgery so the signs sand symptoms also depend on the extent the infection has spread. Sepsis mostly affects the kidneys and the lungs apart from abdomen, pelvis and the intestines. The infection is caused since the body tries to overcome the microorganisms so there are other defense mechanisms as well that the body applies, some of them are as follows:

• High body temperature
• Low Blood pressure
• Diarrhea
• Rashes
• Confused state of mind

In some cases the body temperature goes down and in case of infants they fail to breathe, eat and sleep properly.

Causes of Sepsis- septicemia

As stated earlier the inflammation that occurs is part of the body’s mechanism to capture the foreign bodies, but human bodies have a mechanism to control such defense systems as well that is of the body is swelling, there are anti-inflammatory mediators as well who help to restore the body’s normal phenomenon but in case of Sepsis the process of inflammation becomes so massive that it goes beyond the capacity of the inbuilt counter mechanisms. There are too many immune regulators that start working and after they damage the microorganisms they also start damaging the body’s cells and tissues. He blood in the body starts clotting, which it fails to break, down naturally. Due to the clotting of the blood the organs of the body do not get enough oxygen as a result of which the heart tries to pump more blood.

Treatment of Sepsis- septicemia

• Sepsis can be treated with the help of antibiotics, which are very effective, help to get the situation under control and also buy some time so that the doctors can identify the cause of infection and the right way to treat it.
• At times surgery is done to remove the cause of infection so that situations does not deteriorate any further.
• Apart from antibiotics in case of serious cases, a drug called Xigris or activated protein C is used which helps the body to lower down the rate of inflammation.
• Vasopressors can also be used so that the blood pressure could be increased since vasopressors narrow the blood vessels.