Sepsis is a serious medical condition that occurs when your body overreacts to a detected threat, such as bacteria, fungus, or a virus enters your bloodstream. The infection in the blood is called septicemia. Your body sends an overabundance of chemicals into your bloodstream to fight the infection, thereby causing uncontrolled, widespread inflammation. If left untreated, it can lead to organ failure or even become life-threatening as the infection moves on to later stages and cause septic shock.While sepsis can most certainly affect anyone, the elderly, those with a weakened immune system, babies less than 3 months old, and people with diabetes are more at risk of getting an infection. Bacteria in the bloodstream is oftentimes the culprit. A simple papercut on your finger or scraped elbow can serve as a gateway to allow bacteria to enter your body. Other medical conditions, such as pneumonia or meningitis, can also put an individual at risk. With early detection, the condition is most commonly treated with antibiotics as most cases result from a bacterial infection. Advanced stages of sepsis will require more aggressive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, vasopressor medication, support for failing organs, or even surgery to remove sources of infection.
Read on to learn more about the condition’s symptoms.
