sepsis: do you know the signs?

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according to sepsis canada, the risk of death increases by as much as eight per cent for every hour that treatment for sepsis is delayed.

by dave yasvinski

published jun 07, 2022

last updated may 25, 2023

3 minute read

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3 minute read

join the conversation

if you suspect you have sepsis, you should seek medical attention immediately. getty

sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection already present in the body. this overreaction, which can be in response to a bacterial, fungal, viral or parasitic infection, can trigger system-wide inflammation and blood-clotting, even in previously healthy tissues and organs. although not all infections lead to sepsis, when they do, patients can quickly enter a state of shock as blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels and major organs begin to shut down. according to sepsis canada, the risk of death increases by as much as eight per cent for every hour treatment for sepsis is delayed. the condition is not contagious but many of the infections that lead to sepsis, such as pneumonia or influenza, can be passed to others.

symptoms of sepsis

a medical assessment is necessary to diagnose sepsis and patients must have a probable or confirmed infection, according to the centers for disease and control. symptoms include one or more of the following symptoms:

an elevated heart rate or low blood pressure
confusion or disorientation
extreme pain or discomfort
fever or shivering and clammy or cold skin
shortness of breath

if blood pressure drops too low — and the flow of blood to vital organs is impaired — patients can enter a state of septic shock that quickly increases the risk of death. other symptoms of septic shock include: feeling dizzy upon standing; confusion or other changes to one’s mental state; vomiting and diarrhea; and cold or clammy skin.

diagnosing sepsis

if you suspect you have sepsis, you should seek medical attention immediately. while there is no simple way to confirm the presence of sepsis, there are a series of tests that helps doctors arrive at a diagnosis. according to the sepsis alliance, these include:

blood tests. bloodwork can reveal the presence of infections, electrolyte imbalances, clotting issues and the presence of inflammation or lack of oxygen in the body
urine tests. testing urine can reveal urinary tract infections or kidney issues, such as kidney stones
testing for specific infections. a series of other tests, including ct scans, mris and x-rays, may be used to search for the presence of pneumonia, meningitis, strep throat, influenza or other infections that may be the underlying cause of sepsis

treating sepsis

rapid, aggressive treatment produces the best outcomes for patients with sepsis and doctors typically administer antibiotics as quickly as possible. broad spectrum antibiotics that target a wide range of bacteria are usually used first, followed by other medications as the results of blood and other tests narrow the possible sources of infection. patients are also given intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration. surgery is sometimes required to remove areas of tissue damaged by infection.

some recent research has focused on using a nanoparticle-based treatment to more quickly and effectively deliver anti-inflammatory medication and antibiotics to the source of infection. the technology, which proved effective in mice with sepsis, could pave the road for new therapies in humans.

preventing sepsis

sepsis can affect anyone at any time, regardless of age, sex or race, but some people are more likely to develop it than others. as most cases of sepsis arise from an untreated infection, older people or those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk. other risk factors include:

having a chronic condition, such as diabetes, cancer or kidney disease
having a recent, severe disease for which hospitalization was necessary
having had sepsis in the past
being younger than one or older than 65

prevalence of sepsis

it is estimated that between 30 and 50 per cent of people who develop sepsis die from it, according to statistics canada. in 2011, one in 18 deaths in the country involved sepsis for an age-standardized rate of 27.2 deaths per 100,000 people. it was the 12th leading cause of death in the country that year. in the u.s., the condition affects more than 1.5 million people annually, leading to the deaths of more than 270,000 people every year. treating sepsis can result in an extensive stay in intensive care units, treatment that cost canada around $325-million on an annual basis.

support for sepsis

for more information about sepsis, including the latest news and research efforts, visit sepsis canada.

dave yasvinski is a writer with  healthing.ca

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dave yasvinski

sepsis: do you know the signs?