Sepsis: Diagnosis And Treatment
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection! Typically, a patient's body releases chemicals to fight an infection. When this response is imbalanced, sepsis is the result! Sepsis damages several organs. If it becomes septic shock, a patient's blood pressure drops extremely low. It will drop so low that they are at a high risk of death! Several groups are the most at risk of sepsis. They include immunocompromised individuals, seniors, young children, and pregnant women!
Patients need emergency sepsis treatment at a hospital! Broad-spectrum antibiotics are provided intravenously. Other intravenous fluids for sepsis will be given within three hours of being at the hospital! Doctors have to determine the cause of the patient's infection. Then, they will give specific sepsis antibiotics! There are other sepsis medications out there too. Patients will also need supportive care for sepsis. Surgery for sepsis is a reasonably common treatment too!
Blood Tests
Blood tests are a significant diagnostic test for sepsis! Doctors draw the patient's blood from two sites to give them the information they need. For sepsis, the samples are tests for evidence of an infection and clotting problems. Doctors also need information on electrolyte imbalances, impaired oxygen availability, and abnormal kidney and liver function from these blood samples! They need to combine the results from blood tests with a physical exam and symptom evaluation for a diagnosis.
Doctors use a complete blood count to measure a patient's white blood cells. Elevated white blood cells indicate an infection! They will detect inflammation by testing the patient's C-reactive protein levels. A blood culture is necessary to pinpoint the bacteria or fungi that lead to the patient's infection! Clotting factor tests that are used include d-dimer tests, platelet counts, and prothrombin time.
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Wound Secretion Test
A wound secretion test is another important method used to diagnose sepsis. Doctors use it to determine the cause of their patient's infection! This is crucial, as different antibiotics treat different infections. The test will ensure that doctors use the best antibiotics for each patient! The wound secretion test finds bacteria, fungi, and viruses in a wound. Patients do not need to prepare for this test! They must only tell their doctor about medications that might affect their results.
Doctors will clean the patient's wound. They will also apply a numbing medication to ensure that they are comfortable! Sedation is not required for most wounds. A cotton swab is used for open wounds, and closed wounds require a needle and syringe! Other wounds need doctors to cut into the skin before obtaining the sample.
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Vasopressors
Vasopressors are not the first treatment for sepsis. They are prescribed if patients continue to have blood pressure problems following intravenous fluids. These medications constrict the blood vessels, which increases a patient's blood pressure! They are used for extremely low blood pressure. Typically, critically ill patients in hospitals are the ones who receive this medication. They help prevent organ damage and other severe complications from sepsis! Of course, complications are due to an individual's blood pressure remaining very low for too long. This medication is often prescribed with others to reach its maximum effectiveness.
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Intravenous Fluids
Intravenous fluids are the first-line treatment for sepsis! Patients will receive these fluids within three hours. Intravenous fluids prevent the patient's blood pressure from dropping so low that they are sent into shock. Intravenous fluids let doctors track precisely how much fluid patients are given. They are essential! Doctors also control what type of fluids patients receive. Thus, they tailor the treatment to the patient! Intravenous fluids also reduce sepsis damage. They are a crucial part of this!
Saline and colloids are the most common intravenous fluids. Saline is mostly water. However, it also has water-soluble minerals, such as sodium! Sodium works as an electrolyte and helps the patient's body absorb the fluid! Colloids are thicker than saline. They do not dissolve as quickly! Patients will also need additional saline if they receive colloids. This lets them maintain balance within their body!
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Antibiotics
Antibiotics are an immediate treatment for sepsis. They destroy harmful bacteria and stop them from spreading! Patients need broad-spectrum antibiotics, as these fight many types of bacteria. Patients receive these intravenously, as sepsis is a medical emergency. While receiving these antibiotics, doctors do other tests. They will determine what is causing the patient's infection! Specifically, they will pinpoint what fungus or bacteria has caused the patient's sepsis.
After they do so, they will prescribe an antibiotic that has been specifically formulated to fight that bacteria! This makes it more effective than general antibiotics! Patients always need to finish the antibiotics they were prescribed. Some bacteria remain even partway through treatment when patients start feeling better. Doctors know how much antibiotics are needed. That is why they prescribed the amount they did!