Severe Infections

Sepsis ( Severe Infections ) is a rare but serious complication of an infection. Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.

Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms of Severe Infections

feeling dizzy or faint
a change in mental state – like confusion or disorientation
diarrhoea
nausea and vomiting
slurred speech
severe muscle pain
severe breathlessness
less urine production than normal – for example, not urinating for a day
cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin
loss of consciousness

Treating Severe Infections

Treatment for sepsis varies, depending on the:

area affected
cause of the infection
organs affected
extent of any damage

If you have the early signs of sepsis, you’ll usually be referred to hospital. You’ll then be given a diagnosis and treatment.

Emergency Treatment

You’ll need emergency treatment, or treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU), if:

the sepsis is severe
you develop septic shock – when your blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level

ICUs can support body functions like breathing that are affected by sepsis. This allows the medical staff to focus on treating the infection.

Sepsis is treatable if it’s identified and treated quickly. In most cases it leads to full recovery with no lasting problems.

Risk Factor

are very young
are very old
are pregnant
have had a urinary catheter fitted
have a long term health condition like diabetes
have recently had surgery
are genetically prone to infections
are already in hospital with a serious illness
have to stay in hospital for a long time
have wounds or injuries as a result of an accident

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