What Causes Sepsis?
In this article we explore the causes of sepsis, explaining what sepsis is, how it happens and why it is so serious.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is when an infection triggers the body's immune system to go into overdrive. The consequence is that inflammation and clotting occurs across the body, making it difficult for blood and oxygen to reach the organs. This can lead to organ failure and death.
What causes sepsis?
In many cases of sepsis the underlying cause is never identified.
Infection inside the body
Typically, however, the condition is caused by a bacterial infection that has started elsewhere in the body. It is also possible for sepsis to be caused by viral and fungal infections.
Infections that most frequently result in sepsis include:
- Pneumonia
- Urinary tract infection
- Appendicitis
- Peritonitis, caused by a burst ulcer or ruptured gallbladder
- Skin infections such as cellulitis
- Infections affecting the brain and nervous system – e.g. meningitis
When sepsis occurs due to an infection elsewhere in the body, it means that the body has been unable to control the bacteria at the initial site of infection. Bacteria have therefore spread into the bloodstream, prompting the immune system into overdrive.
Infection outside the body
Sepsis can also be caused by an infection that enters the body from an external source. For instance, from a burn, scratch, graze or wound (including a surgical site wound). Infection can even be introduced via a needle-prick, particularly a cannula. In such cases the bacteria get into the body through the gap in the skin and travel to the bloodstream.
What is causing the body to overreact?
Whatever the original cause of sepsis, the consequences will be the same: the body will trigger a number of biological responses, prompting widespread inflammation and clotting.
But why does the body respond in this way?
The answer is that the body normally responds to an infection this way. Ordinarily the immune system will send white blood cells to the site of infection to fight off the foreign bodies. This effectively keeps the bacteria in one place, known as a localised infection. However, this does have certain side effects, including inflammation.
Sometimes, however, the immune system will be too weak to keep the infection in one place. This might be because the patient is old, young or unwell. The bacteria will not be contained and so will spread across the body. The immune system will still attempt to fight the infection, the problem being that this will cause inflammation all over the body.
Widespread inflammation will make it difficult for blood to reach the organs. Oxygen is carried within the blood, meaning the organs will soon be deprived of both blood and oxygen. The organs cannot survive without these elements and will begin to shut down. A patient with multi-system organ failure will fall into a critical condition and may not survive.
Sepsis claims
If you or your loved one suffered because the cause of sepsis was not diagnosed and treated in time, you could be entitled to pursue a claim. Contact us for more information.
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