To know what kind of disease it is - sepsis - any modern person should have the symptoms inherent in it. Pathology belongs to the number of infectious, is systemic, is provoked by an infectious agent when it penetrates the circulatory system. The second name of the disease is blood poisoning. An inflammatory reaction can be initiated by fungi, bacteria, and infectious toxins.
general information
The word “sepsis” is derived from the Greek term “rot”. The disease is severe, progressing rapidly. The causes, symptoms, treatment of blood poisoning (sepsis) are relevant information, if only because independent spontaneous recovery is almost impossible. Even the use of the most reliable and modern methods does not always save the patient's life: with blood poisoning, a high probability of death.
Knowing the causes, signs, symptoms of sepsis, you can understand in time that this serious disease has begun to develop, and therefore, seek help. Quite often, the disease is observed against the background of infection:
- salmonella;
- Klebsiella;
- entero-, strepto-, meningo-, pneumo-, staphylococci;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Purulent processes can initiate fungi.
The disease is observed with a weakened immune system, the inability to activate natural defense mechanisms. Often, sepsis is diagnosed in a situation where the human immune system is not able to detect the localization of the inflammatory process, the primary focus is ignored, and the pathogen gets the opportunity to multiply and spread.
The causative agents of sepsis in healthy people can be present in the body in different tissues and organs (most often on the mucous membranes), while there are no negative manifestations. They can also cause sepsis with an unpredictable course and outcome. More often, blood poisoning occurs during treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, as well as after complex surgical interventions.
Where did the trouble come from?
Ways of blood poisoning:
- penetration into the body of an infectious agent during surgery;
- the transition of a local disease into a systemic form;
- insertion of a catheter into a vein.
Signs and symptoms of sepsis can be observed if the body had a small primary inflammatory focus in the soft tissues, articular elements, bones, and internal organs. Often, blood poisoning is initiated by phlegmon, burns, wounds, carbuncles, boils. Abortion is another risk factor, since there is a high probability of complications, infection in the female body. Some degree of danger is associated with childbirth. These processes reduce the local protection of the mucous membranes of the reproductive system, so pathological bacteria are able to actively multiply.
Types and Forms
Speaking of blood poisoning (sepsis), symptoms of the disease, it is first wise to consider the official scientific classification of this disease. To divide into groups take into account several factors:
- etiology (a type of pathogen of the inflammatory process);
- source of infection (wound, operation, hypothermia, internal disease);
- localization of the primary region (reproductive system, ears, oral mucosa);
- developmental intensity (instant, acute, chronicle, relapse, subacute);
- anatomical and clinical signs (the presence of metastases);
- developmental time (late, early).
How to notice?
The first symptoms of sepsis are manifestations similar to any other inflammatory process occurring in a systemic form. Typically, the patient’s attention is first attracted by fever: begins to fever, the temperature rises above 38 ° C. At the same time, the heartbeat speeds up sharply, the pulse exceeds 90 beats per minute. The patient often breathes shallowly, and tests show a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the circulatory system. The number of leukocytes decreases or rises.
More severe symptoms of sepsis occur later. Under the influence of the pathogen, the work of the nervous system is disrupted, the head hurts greatly. People get annoyed for no reason, cannot fall asleep, consciousness is clouded, darkened. Short-term fainting is possible. Especially high temperature is observed in the evening, the lowest - in the early morning. All described symptoms of sepsis are more pronounced if the form is accompanied by metastases.
It is possible to assume a blood poisoning if the patient is shivering, sweat is actively being produced, and the weight is sharply reduced. Small red dots appear on the skin - a hemorrhagic rash. In some cases, symptoms of sepsis include a persistent decrease in blood pressure, swelling, blood clots, phlebitis, lymphangitis. Against the background of blood poisoning, there is a possibility of pressure sores. Listening to the respiratory system allows you to notice wheezing. The patient suffers from shortness of breath.
What to look for?
Symptoms of sepsis are possible with hepatic impairment. This is noticeable in the patient's appearance: the skin acquires a yellowish tint. At the same time, the spleen becomes larger, and urine becomes less dense, with purulent and protein inclusions. The progress of the disease is accompanied by a lack of urine - anuria is diagnosed.
Symptoms of sepsis (the causes of the disease are listed above) may include disruption of the stomach and intestines. Possible stool disorders, nausea, vomiting.
All of these features deserve attention, and delay is completely unacceptable. If the disease is instantaneous, only 24 hours is enough for the full development of the clinical picture, while the risk of death is categorically high. The acute form requires several days, the chronicle takes months, and the manifestations are rather sluggish. Any of the formats of blood poisoning is life threatening. If you suspect a disease, you must urgently seek qualified help.
Establishing diagnosis
A modern person needs to know what these symptoms of sepsis are. The treatment that can be offered at the clinic is more likely to be effective if you can seek help when the disease has just begun to develop. You should not try to cope with the pathology with improvised means at home - the risks are too great.
An accurate diagnosis is possible only in a hospital setting. In the laboratory, samples of the patient’s body fluids are analyzed, clinical manifestations are monitored, instrumental studies are performed, and, if necessary, surgical. A basic blood test, determination of its sterility, as well as biochemistry will be the base - this study allows you to evaluate the ratio of acids and bases, water and electrolytes. Doctors analyze blood to determine hemodynamic characteristics. If sepsis can be suspected based on the symptoms, treatment (in adults and children) should begin immediately, as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed.
To clarify the condition of the patient, they are sent for ultrasound, a cardiogram and chest x-ray.
How to warn?
So that you do not have to find out for yourself what the symptoms of sepsis are, adults and children need to adhere to the basic rules for preventing disease. If inflammatory foci are identified, treatment should be started immediately. It is unacceptable to launch purulent diseases. It is important to follow the rules of antiseptic treatment. When conducting surgery, other manipulations in a doctor's office, special attention is paid to ensuring sterility.
In order not to become personally acquainted with the symptoms of sepsis, after the doctor’s recommendations on the use of antibacterial drugs, it is necessary to take a course in accordance with the instructions of a specialist. To prevent the destruction of colonies of beneficial bacteria, the course is supplemented with pro, prebiotics. At the same time, you need to remember: the independent use of antimicrobial drugs is unacceptable, they are used only by prescription.
How to treat?
If symptoms of sepsis appear in adults, children, you should immediately consult a doctor. At home, the disease is not treated. The pathology is systemic, which means that therapy should be comprehensive. After confirming the diagnosis of the patient, they are hospitalized and appropriate antibiotics are selected. As a rule, these are medicines of the “reserve”, of a wide spectrum of action - they are intended only for exceptional cases.
The use of antimicrobial agents is accompanied by the sanitary treatment of inflammatory foci. When identifying abscesses, their removal is necessary, if purulent foci are detected, phlegmon is an adequate surgical treatment, followed by drainage. The patient is prescribed an infusion of medications, focusing on the needs of the body.
If a fungal colony is detected, drugs are used to stop its vital activity. Additionally, sometimes there is a need for detoxification treatment. In certain cases, a transfusion of blood (blood components) is indicated.
Fungal sepsis: features
Mushrooms of the species can provoke this form:
- Candida
- Scedosporium;
- Mucorales.
There are cases of infection with microorganisms belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium. However, in practice, the most common case is infection with candida fungi. Infectious foci can form on the mucous membranes, skin, from where the pathogen penetrates the circulatory system and spreads throughout the body with blood flow. In this case, small nodules are formed. Classic locations:
- joints
- intestinal mucosa;
- brain membranes;
- internal organs.
To start the infection of blood with fungi, simultaneous infection with several pathogens is necessary. The primary focus should be in contact with the pathways of blood or lymph. Sepsis is observed when secondary foci are formed, while the activity of pathological microflora is activated.
Symptoms of sepsis in newborns are possible - the disease is intrauterine. Risk factors can be a violation of the integrity of the skin and the use of not thoroughly sterilized medical instruments. The risk is especially great if a person is sick with diabetes, as the immune system is weakened. In addition, there is a high risk of developing the disease, if installed:
- metabolic problems;
- hormonal imbalance;
- endocrine pathologies;
- malignant neoplasms;
- exhaustion;
- rickets;
- avitaminosis.
And also on the background:
- prolonged use of steroid, antimicrobial drugs;
- chemotherapy.
Manifestations of the disease
Symptoms of sepsis in children and adults, if blood poisoning is provoked by a fungal colony, are similar to those described above. The disease can be suspected by the following manifestations:
- violation of the stool;
- heat;
- pressure reduction;
- dermatitis near the anus;
- nasolabial cyanosis;
- candidiasis;
- rapid heartbeat;
- rash, red spots on the skin;
- hemorrhage;
- weight loss;
- violation of the respiratory system.
Against the background of blood poisoning, a person feels bad, depressed, depression is possible. There are problems in the functioning of the respiratory system, the liver and spleen become larger. Diaper rash of fungal nature appears under the armpits.
How to fight?
Treatment of fungal infection of the blood is only possible complex, otherwise you should not expect a positive outcome. Specific measures are selected by assessing the patient's condition, especially the situation. The main objectives of the course:
- destruction of the infectious agent;
- activation of immunity;
- symptom control;
- restoration of the functionality of systems and organs;
- cleansing the body of toxins.
Medical course
Of the antibacterial agents in sepsis, the most commonly used are:
All of them have anti-inflammatory effects, inhibit the vital activity of pathological microorganisms. Claforan and Amphotericin are similar in effect.
To stimulate the work of the stomach, intestines, you can use "Biolact", "Lactobacterin."
A targeted fight against fungal colonies is carried out by means of:
- "Nystatin";
- Diflucan
- "Fluconazole."
To increase immunity, you can take "Immunoflazid", and to normalize the endocrine system, heart and blood vessels - the drug "Nattokinase." For general strengthening of the body, the doctor can advise folic acid, mineral and vitamin complexes. A good reputation is the composition of "Neurobion".
Fungal Sepsis Prevention
In order not to become a victim of a systemic disease, you should follow simple rules:
- Treat all wounds, scratches with antiseptic compounds.
- Use immunity strengthening complexes.
- Prevent purulent, inflammatory foci, and when they appear - immediately treat.
- After surgery, clearly follow the advice of a doctor.
- Eat properly and fully.
Children are ill!
Neonatal sepsis is a rather terrible disease, the risk of death is high. It is known that any infection in the first month of life with almost one hundred percent probability provokes sepsis. The baby’s body is trying to fight the infectious agent — in general, the logic of the response is similar to that of an adult but the imperfection of the systems does not allow to cope even with a weak infection, so the consequences can be the most serious. In addition to infants, blood poisoning is more common in people of advanced age, as well as those suffering from chronic pathologies, HIV, and cancer.
Most often, neonatal sepsis is provoked:
- strepto-, meningo-, pneumococcus;
- hemophilic, Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- listeria;
- salmonella.
The risk group includes children born prematurely and undergoing intensive care from birth. There are several risk factors:
- weak immunity;
- the need to often endure invasive procedures;
- use of breathing tubes.
Any damage to the skin is a way for an infectious agent to enter a weakened body.
Mother and child
Blood infection can be obtained during fetal development or at the time of birth. The likelihood of sepsis is higher with a complicated pregnancy and problematic birth accompanied by a fever. The danger is infection of the placenta, uterine tissue. There is a risk of sepsis if the fetal bladder bursts before the 37th week of gestation or at the very beginning of labor.
From 15% to one third of all women in labor are carriers of streptococci. During childbirth, the mother can become a source of infectious agent for the baby. The path of movement of the bacteria is the vagina or rectum.
It is known that newborn boys get sepsis twice as often as girls. Neonatal blood poisoning develops with a high degree if childbirth begins prematurely, and when the fetus is born, the woman is often subjected to examinations by a gynecologist. Unsanitary conditions in the hospital, prolonged stay in the clinic can provoke late neonatal sepsis.
How to notice?
Early sepsis in a baby can be diagnosed already in the first day of life, at the latest - the 89th day of life. The disease attracts attention with the following manifestations:
- temperature instability;
- respiratory arrest in a dream;
- diarrhea, vomiting;
- lack of appetite;
- decrease in the rhythm of the heartbeat;
- yellowing of the skin;
- swelling of the abdomen;
- respiratory failure.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor examines the child and takes samples of fluids for laboratory testing. It monitors temperature, pulse, respiration, determines which pathological microorganisms caused the infection. Additionally takes an x-ray of the chest.
For the baby, timely medical care is especially important - this is not about days, but about hours. Immunity is still too weak, so any infection with a high degree of probability provokes a fatal outcome. The treatment program is chosen based on the results of the analyzes, taking into account the limitations on the possibility of using drugs for young patients. The most widely used was Ampicillin.