Sepsis (cont.)
What is the prognosis (outcome) with sepsis?
The prognosis of patients with sepsis is related to the severity or stage of sepsis as well as to the underlying health status of the patient. For example, patients with sepsis and no ongoing sign of organ failure at the time of diagnosis have about a 15%-30% chance of death. Patients with severe sepsis or septic shock have a mortality (death) rate of about 40%-60%. Newborns and pediatric patients with sepsis have about a 9%-36% mortality rate. Investigators have developed a scoring system (MEDS score) based on the patient's symptoms to estimate prognosis.
There are a large number of complications that may occur with sepsis. The complications are related to the type of initial infection (for
example, in lung infection with sepsis, a potential complication could be a need for respiratory support) and the severity of sepsis (for
example, septic shock related to a limb infection that could require limb amputation). Consequently, each patient is likely to have the potential for complications related to the source of sepsis; in general, the complications are due to organ dysfunction, damage, or loss.
Physicians agree that the faster the patient with sepsis is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis and fewer complications, if any, for the patient.
How can sepsis (blood poisoning) be prevented?
Risk factors that lead to sepsis can be reduced by many methods. Perhaps the most important way to reduce the chance for sepsis is to first prevent any infections. Vaccines, good hygiene, hand washing, and avoiding sources of infection are excellent preventive methods. If infection occurs, immediate treatment of any infection before it has a chance to spread into the blood is likely to prevent sepsis. This is especially important in patients that are at greater risk for infection such as those who have suppressed immune systems, those with cancer, people with diabetes, or elderly patients.
What are some additional sources for information on sepsis (blood poisoning)?
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/972559-overview
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/437519
- Blood poisoning is a nonmedical term that usually refers to the medical condition known as sepsis.
- Sepsis is a potentially dangerous or life-threatening medical condition found in association with a known or suspected infection whose signs and symptoms fulfill at least two criteria of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
- The majority of cases of sepsis are due to bacterial infection.
- Sepsis is treated with hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, and therapy to support any organ dysfunction.
- The prognosis depends on the severity of sepsis as well as the underlying health status of the patient.
Last Editorial Review: 2/6/2009
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