When you enter an Illinois hospital, you expect to receive only the best medical care. Unfortunately, sometimes, things can happen that lead to complications. Sepsis is one of the most serious; this is what it is and how it develops.
Understanding sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that develops in response to an infection. In some cases, it occurs after a situation of medical malpractice when a patient’s condition is not stabilized with appropriate treatment. However, it can also happen when a person doesn’t effectively respond to treatment. Often, sepsis develops before a patient even enters a hospital and starts in parts of the body such as the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract or urinary tract.
Any type of infection can lead to sepsis, which is considered a medical emergency. If it is not quickly treated, it can spread throughout the body and lead to organ failure and even death. Those with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems are more susceptible.
Symptoms of sepsis
Depending on the area of your body affected, you can experience different signs of sepsis. For example, if it enters the urinary tract, you may have an urgency to urinate or difficulty urinating or a reddish rash on your skin if the sepsis leads to a blood infection.
Other common symptoms of the condition include low blood pressure, faster heart rate, confusion, fatigue, tremors, chills, fever, shortness of breath and severe pain. If you exhibit several of these symptoms, you might have sepsis; seeking medical attention immediately is crucial.
In addition to people with weakened immune systems and chronic medical conditions being at a higher risk of sepsis, anyone who has previously had it is more likely to develop it. Infants, seniors and individuals who recently had a severe illness or were hospitalized also have a higher risk of sepsis.