Sepsis is a serious infectious complication that occurs when compounds released into the blood vessels to fight infection trigger inflammation throughout the body. This can trigger a variety of things, resulting in damage to organ systems, and ultimately organ failure or septic shock. While anyone can develop sepsis, it is most common in the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. To avoid sepsis, identify risk factors, be aware of the symptoms, and take preventive measures are very important.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Identifying Risk Factors
Step 1. Understand that children and seniors are at high risk
Children and the elderly have weak immune systems. A person with a weakened immune system has a lower ability to fight off infections that can lead to sepsis.
- Children, especially those under the age of 14, have immature immune systems, making them susceptible to infection.
- Seniors, who are 60 years of age or older, also have a weakened immune system making them susceptible to infection.
Step 2. Be aware of high-risk chronic health conditions
Those who have an illness or have conditions that suppress the immune system are also at increased risk for sepsis. Because the body has a low ability to fight infection effectively, those with compromised immune systems are at high risk for sepsis. Some examples are:
- AIDS/HIV infection: People with AIDS/HIV are infected by a virus that causes their immune system to be compromised.
- Cancer. Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also vulnerable, because their immune systems are suppressed by these treatments. Chemotherapy and radiation kill both cancer cells and normal cells, and damage to normal cells impairs the immune system.
- Diabetes. Diabetes is a condition of a person with high levels of glucose or sugar in the blood vessels. Microorganisms get their nutrition from sugar, and high levels of sugar can attract bacteria into the blood vessels and provide them with the habitat they need. The abundance of these microorganisms can increase your risk for sepsis.
Step 3. Know that steroid therapy can increase your risk
People who use steroid medicines long term are also prone to infections. Steroid drugs (hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, etc.) can inhibit the inflammatory process. However, sometimes inflammation is a necessary part of the body's response to infection.
Without inflammation, the body cannot fight infection well, and becomes very vulnerable
Step 4. Recognize that open wounds can dramatically increase the risk of sepsis
An open wound provides an entrance for microorganisms into the body and infects healthy tissue. This type of infection can lead to sepsis.
- Wounds that reach 1 cm deep or open wounds that are right in the blood vessels will increase the chance of infection.
- Third-degree burns also provide an entry point into the bloodstream, and an opportunity for infection.
Step 5. Understand that the use of invasive medical devices also increases the risk
Invasive medical devices (such as catheters or breathing tubes) can provide a doorway for microorganisms to enter the blood vessels through passages in the body. This increased exposure can lead to sepsis.
Part 2 of 4: Preventing Sepsis
Step 1. Keep your hands clean to prevent microbial buildup
Hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the transfer of microbes. If your hands are clean, you are much less likely to introduce sepsis-causing microbes into your body.
- Use soap and warm water.
- Wash your hands as often as possible.
- If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Dirty nails should also be trimmed as they provide a suitable place for bacterial growth.
Step 2. Eat healthy foods to optimize the work of your immune system
Eat nutritious foods, especially foods high in vitamin C. These foods will strengthen your immune system, giving your body the ability to fight infection without causing sepsis or other complications. Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C such as yellow peppers, guavas, roses, and many others have a great effect on the immune system.
Vitamin C as much as 500-2,000 milligrams is needed to maintain your health
Step 3. Prepare and cook your food properly to eliminate microbes
Your food must be prepared and cooked to food safety and hygiene standards. Eliminating microbes from your diet can dramatically lower your chances of catching sepsis-causing microbes and bacteria.
- The temperature that must be reached during cooking is 93 - 100 degrees Celsius to ensure that all microbes are killed.
- For freezing, a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius or less must be used to prevent food from spoiling.
Step 4. Use bottled water for drinking water
If your tap water isn't very clean, be sure to drink bottled water. If no bottled water is available, boil the water for 1 minute to ensure that the microbes in it are killed. Avoid drinking from questionable water sources, such as well water, or open water outdoors.
Step 5. Clean the surfaces you frequently touch with a disinfectant to kill microbes
Proper cleaning and disinfection must be done so that you are not exposed to microbes. Maintaining a clean environment is an easy way to ensure you are not exposed to microbes. The fewer microbes you have around you, the lower your chances of developing infection and sepsis.
- Commercial disinfectants can be used to easily clean surfaces in the home.
- Most of the available disinfectants can kill up to 99.9% of microbes.
- Steam cleaning is also recommended. This cleaning uses high temperature steam to kill bacteria without worrying about chemicals.
Step 6. Treat the wound well to reduce the chance of infection
If you are injured, you must treat it properly. The use of antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and iodine is recommended to clean the wound before covering it with a sterile bandage.
Antimicrobial (Silvercel) bandages are recommended to prevent microbial growth within the bandage itself
Step 7. Limit contact with other people if you are hospitalized
Make sure those visiting you wear gloves, protective clothing, and masks before entering the room where you are being treated. You should reduce your contact with other people to lower your chances of infection.
Step 8. Limit the number of invasive procedures you undergo to reduce exposure to microbes
The incidence of sepsis in hospitals can be reduced by limiting the use and duration of catheter use. This equipment can facilitate the transmission of infections that have the potential to cause sepsis.
Part 3 of 4: Recognizing the Symptoms Early
Step 1. Take your temperature for fever
Fever is part of the immune system's response to fighting microbes and infections. During sepsis, body temperature can rise to 41 degrees Celsius.
This fever is sometimes accompanied by convulsions and chills
Step 2. Determine if you have tachycardia
Tachycardia is an abnormally fast heartbeat. While some people have a faster heart rate than normal, this can also be a sign of a variety of health problems, including sepsis.
- Sepsis triggers inflammation. As inflammation progresses, blood vessels constrict.
- This makes it difficult for blood to flow.
- To overcome this, the heart beats faster than usual, up to 90 beats every minute.
Step 3. Watch your breath for tachypnea
Tachypnea is abnormally fast breathing. Although the tachypnea that occurs is sometimes mild, it can be a marker of sepsis.
- Tachypnea is also an attempt by the body to cope with the decreased efficiency of blood flow due to inflammation.
- The body tries to get oxygen into the blood vessels at a higher rate by increasing the number of breaths each minute.
- Tachypnea is characterized by a respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths per minute.
Step 4. Determine if you feel weaker than before
A weak body can occur when oxygen intake to the brain decreases. This can occur when blood flow decreases, so that it is diverted to vital organs.
Feeling very weak can signal the onset of sepsis
Step 5. Ask your doctor for a diagnosis to know for sure your condition
Your doctor will give you several tests to determine the extent of your infection. In general, the first check that will be done is a thorough health survey starting from the time you were born, the vaccines you received, and other necessary questions. After that, he will ask you to undergo the following examinations:
- Routine blood tests to look for the cause of your infection. This test will determine the cause of your infection, usually a virus or bacteria. In addition, the results of this test will determine the levels of white blood cells and acids in your blood, both of which can be used to determine whether you have an infection or not.
- Kidney and liver function tests may also be needed to check the overall function of these two vital organs. If you deviate from normal values, your doctor can prescribe appropriate treatment and prevent the failure of these organs.
- Other tests can be used to detect infection, such as X-rays, ultrasound, and CT scans.
Part 4 of 4: Treating Sepsis with Medication
Step 1. Take broad spectrum antibiotics to treat local infection
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are usually given intravenously, even before the onset of sepsis symptoms as a preventive measure. If sepsis has occurred, your doctor will perform tests to determine which antibiotic will specifically kill the microorganism causing your infection.
- Antibiotic therapy depends on the severity of your condition.
- Remember to continue taking your antibiotics even after the symptoms of the infection have subsided.
- Take the prescribed medication, unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
- During your next examination, once the doctor has declared your infection cured, the antibiotic will be discontinued immediately.
Step 2. Use a doctor-prescribed vasopressor to treat your low blood pressure
The goal of sepsis treatment is to overcome the damage caused by the infection. Your blood pressure must be corrected and maintained at normal conditions to ensure your blood circulation reaches all parts of your body, to prevent organ failure.
Step 3. Take medications as advised by your doctor
Other medications used depend on the severity of your condition. Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers, sedatives, corticosteroids, and even insulin to treat the damage caused by sepsis.
