Sepsis - what is it? Causes, Symptoms and Methods of Treatment

Why does sepsis occur, what is it, and what are its symptoms? How dangerous is this condition? These questions are of interest to many, given the prevalence of such a problem. After all, sepsis is often diagnosed even among newborn babies.

Sepsis - what is it?

Sepsis is a process in which generalized inflammation of tissues and organs is observed. A similar condition is associated with a malfunction of the immune system. Sepsis can be both acute and chronic.

To date, it is common to distinguish several stages in the development of sepsis.

• First, the causative agent (it can be a bacterium, a virus or a fungus), is introduced into the cells of the primary inflammation focus.
• As the number of pathogenic microorganisms increases, they enter the bloodstream.
• Bacteria, as a rule, give off a huge amount of toxins to the blood and tissues, which affects the patient's condition.
• Pathogens quickly spread through the body, forming secondary inflammation in the kidneys, skin, heart muscle, spleen.
• At this stage, the immune system is activated, but the process of isolating anti-inflammatory mediators does not complete completely.
• Cells of affected organs begin to break down, which often leads to the development of septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome .

What are the causes of sepsis development?

The syndrome of systemic inflammatory response of the body, as a rule, is associated with the activity of pathogenic bacteria. And in the role of causative agent may act staphylococcus, streptococci, Escherichia, Influenza sticks, pseudomonas.

Activation of the infection can be associated with various factors. For example, surgical sepsis is quite common. What it is? This form of infection is most often the result of an incorrect surgical procedure. By the way, postoperative complications are often associated with the selection of ineffective antibiotics, which do not inhibit the processes of propagation and spread of the pathogen. There is also obstetric-gynecological (postpartum complication), oral, percutaneous sepsis. In some cases, the primary focus is the middle or inner ear, in such cases, the infection often infects the brain envelopes.

Sepsis may be associated with lesions of blood vessels, and sometimes organs of the genitourinary system.

The main symptoms of sepsis

The danger of the disease lies precisely in the variety of its symptoms. As a rule, systemic inflammation begins with an increase in temperature and a constant chill. Quite often the first signs of sepsis appear on the skin, these are various forms of infectious-allergic dermatitis. The skin can be dry, and on its surface reddish rashes are noticeable. If the cause of inflammation is surgical intervention or skin damage, you can notice redness and suppuration in the wound.

Sepsis often affects the joints, which leads to the appearance of symptoms of polyarthritis. There is an increase in the liver and spleen. There is shortness of breath and tachycardia. In connection with tissue damage septic shock develops, which is extremely dangerous for human life.

How to treat septicemia?

In no case can not ignore the malaise that has appeared. The presence of anxiety symptoms should immediately tell the doctor. Only a specialist knows why and how sepsis develops, what it is, and what methods of treatment will be effective.

In the first place, antibiotic therapy is carried out, but in this case it is important to determine to which antibiotics the pathogens are sensitive. Important and symptomatic treatment, which depends on which organs were affected, for example, with inflammation and suppuration of the kidneys, hemodialysis is performed. To treat skin and mucous tissues use antiseptics, in particular, the solution "Chlorophyllipt".

It is necessary to understand that sepsis is an extremely dangerous condition. Patients need hospitalization and constant supervision of medical personnel.