what is sepsis?

Question

how dangerous is it?

is it really true that when you have sepsis, the chance of death is higher than survival?

Answer 1

I'm a nurse and yes septic is when infection enters the bloodstream and turn fatal. I'm so sorry and sometimes people pull through I hope this is the case in your (or loved ones) situation. Take care

Answer 2

It is an infection in the blood. It's very dangerous, and depending on healthy you were before you got sepsis depends on your chances of survival.

Answer 3

Sepsis is the body's response to infection. Normally, the body's own defense system fights infection, but in severe sepsis, the body's normal reaction goes into overdrive, setting off a cascade of events that can lead to widespread inflammation and blood clotting in tiny vessels throughout the body. The forms of sepsis include severe sepsis, which occurs when acute organ dysfunction or failure results; septic shock, which occurs in severe sepsis when the cardiovascular system begins to fail so that blood pressure drops, depriving vital organs of an adequate oxygenated blood supply; and septicemia, which is sepsis that has an infection in the bloodstream itself.

Sepsis occurs in three different forms or stages, called:
-Uncomplicated sepsis
-Severe sepsis
-Septic shock
The disease progresses in some people through all three stages. Despite optimal (best or most favorable) care, some patients may not respond to treatment, and may develop multiple organ disease and eventually die.

UNCOMPLICATED SEPSIS
Uncomplicated sepsis, such as that caused by 'flu and other viral infections, gastroenteritis, or dental abscesses, is very common and is experienced by millions of people each year. The majority of these people will not need hospital treatment.

SEVERE SEPSIS
We estimate that more than 750,000 individuals develop severe sepsis in North America each year, with similar estimates for Europe, and all need to be actively treated in the hospital. Severe sepsis arises when sepsis occurs in combination with problems in one or more of the vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, or liver.

Because of problems with their vital organs, people with severe sepsis are likely to be very ill and are more likely to die (in 30-35 % of cases) than those with uncomplicated sepsis.

SEPTIC SHOCK
Septic shock occurs when sepsis is complicated by low blood pressure that does not respond to standard treatment (fluid administration) and leads to problems in one or more of the vital organs as described above. The condition means that the body does not receive enough oxygen to properly function and drugs called vasopressors are used to raise the blood pressure. Septic shock patients are very ill and need rapid emergency admission to the hospital intensive care unit ("ICU"). Despite active treatment in the ICU, the death rate is around 50%.

Answer 4

Sepsis usually refers to an infection in the blood stream. This is fairly dangerous. As far as the chance fo death, I believe that would depend on the specific bacteria infecting the blood stream.

Answer 5

Check out this site - you can find out pretty much everything about sepsis - from symptoms, causes, and treatment.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000666.htm

Sepsis is a very, very dangerous condition. For individuals with underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, cardiac conditions, etc) the death rate is typically about 60%. For otherwise healthy individuals, the death rate is slightly lower, but still very possible.

Answer 6

sepsis is a disease of the blood. it's very dangerous and you can get it taken care of with proper medical treatments. it's like your blood is poison in your body but it should be good for you. death is more prevelant if you don't get it treated and if you don't know in advance that you have sepsis. you need to catch it in time. hope this somewhat helps. ask your school nurse if you have more questions.