Infection Causing Sepsis
A seemingly innocent infection somewhere in the body can cause t patient to develop sepsis and a failure to recognise the symptoms of this development can prove catastrophic, and even fatal, to the patient.
Infections and sepsis
Sepsis is not in itself an infection but is a reaction by the body's immune system to an infection.
A septic response can be prompted by an infection anywhere in the body nut is most likely to be a response to infections in the chest and abdomen. This might include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, appendicitis or a gallbladder infection.
Sepsis symptoms
Patients who are already being treated for these infections therefore require close monitoring for any developing symptoms of sepsis such as the following:
- A high temperature
- A fast heartbeat
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Fast breathing
It is particularly important that patients who come into the at-risk categories for sepsis receive close attention if they are suffering with an infection. Such groups of patient could include the following:
- The elderly
- The very young
- People with diabetes
- People who are significantly overweight
- People who already have a weakened immune system
Treating sepsis
Sepsis can develop very quickly and early recognition of the key symptoms is crucial. Intravenous antibiotics ideally need to be given to the patient within an hour of the development of symptoms in order to try to combat the illness.
The patient may also need fluids and life support in an intensive care setting as the illness can threaten the functioning of the patient's major organs.
Investigations to identify the underlying infection which has prompted the septic response are also necessary to try to address that trigger.
Medical negligence
A failure to recognise the early signs of sepsis thereby allowing the patient's symptoms to deteriorate leading to a poor outcome may be regarded as a poor standard of care.
If you or a loved one are suffering the long-term effects of late diagnosis of sepsis, it may be appropriate to consider a claim for compensation.
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