Sepsis is a serious medical condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of sepsis, as well as the three main stages of this debilitating condition, can help you seek the medical care you need as early as possible. Early intervention can prevent potentially fatal health complications.
What Is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening bodily reaction to the introduction of an infection or bacteria. It is an extreme immune response that can cause the body to fight itself. This releases immune chemicals into the bloodstream that can result in dangerous inflammation, blood clots, oxygen deprivation to the organs, tissue damage, organ failure and death.
Sepsis can be caused by infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, Staph infections and skin infections. These infections can trigger the body’s defense mechanism in a way that becomes harmful to itself. Rather than fighting the infection, the body’s immune system starts to fight itself.
Stage 1: Sepsis
Stage one, or sepsis, describes Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). This is an exaggerated inflammatory response by the immune system to a trigger, such as infection or surgery. The early signs of SIRS include low or high body temperature, increased heart rate, abnormal respiratory rate or rapid breathing, and abnormal white blood cell count. The patient may also show signs of disorientation or extreme discomfort.
At stage one, sepsis is highly treatable. This is why it is critical for health care providers to properly monitor patients and detect the signs of sepsis as soon as possible. Treatments include antibiotics to treat the underlying infection, IV fluids to prevent dehydration and careful monitoring for signs of worsening sepsis.
Stage 2: Severe Sepsis
If sepsis is not caught and treated in stage one, it can progress to stage two: severe sepsis. This is an advanced form of SIRS that can affect the functioning of the organs by damaging their tissues. It is a medical emergency that can lead to organ dysfunction and failure.
When a patient is experiencing severe sepsis, symptoms can include:
- Increased confusion or sudden changes in mental state
- Lethargy or extreme weakness
- Trouble breathing
- Abnormal heart function
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Chills
- Severe abdominal pain or unusual pain elsewhere
- Signs of kidney failure (decreased urination)
Severe sepsis can impact the kidney, liver, lungs, heart and other vital organs. Even with proper medical intervention, severe sepsis may advance into the third stage if the patient’s body does not respond to treatment.
Stage 3: Septic Shock
The third and most severe stage of sepsis is known as septic shock. This stage has the highest mortality rate, ranging between 30 percent and 50 percent. Septic shock describes persistent hypotension and elevated serum lactate levels, which can lead to the inability to stand, extreme confusion and difficulty staying awake. Stage three sepsis requires immediate medical intervention to stabilize the circulatory system and prevent total organ failure and death.
Sepsis and Medical Malpractice
With proper patient care, sepsis can often be prevented. If sepsis does occur, health care providers have a responsibility to detect its early signs to provide the patient with the highest odds of recovery. Any failure by a nurse, doctor or medical facility to abide by the required standards of patient care when it comes to sepsis is medical malpractice, and can lead to a related lawsuit. Discuss a potential claim involving sepsis during a free consultation with a Minneapolis sepsis lawyer at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC.