How to Treat Sepsis
In most cases, the body has an efficient and effective way to fight infection and bring the body back to health. However, the presence of sepsis means that the body itself suffers an infection that can be life-threatening. Over 750,000 people are diagnosed with sepsis each year, and more than 215,000 will die from it. While standard treatment may not help enough people, early detection and aggressive treatment may lower the mortality rate.
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Instructions
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Treat Sepsis
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Determine the appropriate source control and anti-infectives. Patients with certain conditions, such as gangrene and severe burns, may require surgical source control.
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Seek cardiovascular support, especially since hypotension often goes along with severe sepsis. This step involves improving blood pressure and taking action to avoid septic shock.
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Obtain respiratory support to curtail oxygenation and ventilation problems. Most patients require either intubation or mechanical ventilation.
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Seek renal replacement therapy to address such problems as decreased urine output and other symptoms of renal dysfunction.
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Learn about blood glucose and treat abnormal insulin levels. Hyperglycemia is a common symptom of severe sepsis.
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Find out about activated protein-C, a drug that has shown promising results for boosting a patient's nutritional support.
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Consider other necessary forms of supportive care, such as sedation or treatment for deep vein thrombosis.
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Tips & Warnings
Overcoming sepsis requires education and understanding. See Sepsis.com for extensive information on this disease (see Resources below).
When sepsis lands a patient in the intensive care unit, it is important to ask the right questions. Some helpful questions are listed at the Eli Lilly and Company website (see Resources below).
Sepsis sufferers should not have to feel they are alone. They can seek support and information from organizations such as the International Sepsis Forum (see Resources below).
Early detection is crucial. Once sepsis has spread throughout the body, treatment in most cases is too late.
Sepsis has certain warning signs, such as abnormal body temperature, difficulty in breathing, abnormal white blood cell count and racing of the heart. Remember that early detection makes it easier to treat sepsis.
Know the risk factors of sepsis. Such factors include advanced age, HIV infection, alcohol addiction, diabetes and certain medical treatments that can leave a patient prone to increased infections.
