Sepsis – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Testing Blood for Clues
Doctors collect blood samples to search for infection and check for issues linked to sepsis. These tests can show if bacteria, viruses, or fungi are in the blood and reveal signs of inflammation.
Blood tests also help spot problems like clotting issues, low oxygen, kidney or liver stress, and salt imbalances. Professionals look for special markers, like procalcitonin, to help diagnose sepsis early.
In both children and adults, blood tests are important because symptoms like fever, chills, or confusion may not be enough for a diagnosis.
Examining Other Body Fluids
Doctors test urine, wound fluid, or mucus from coughs to find more information about the infection’s location. For example, testing urine or respiratory fluids helps confirm if someone has a urinary tract infection or lung infection like pneumonia.
Lab cultures show which bacteria, viruses, or fungi are present. These results help doctors choose the right antibiotics or other treatments and fight antimicrobial resistance.
Using Pictures to Find the Infection
Healthcare providers use imaging scans when they cannot find the infection’s location. X-rays help check for lung disease or pneumonia.
Ultrasound images help find abscesses or infections in the kidneys or gallbladder. CT scans and MRIs reveal infections in the liver, pancreas, bones, or soft tissues.
These tools help doctors make a quick diagnosis and start timely treatment.
Treatment
Medicines Used in Care
Doctors start treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics to fight the infection that causes sepsis or septic shock. Because sepsis can quickly lead to life-threatening problems like organ failure, doctors give antibiotics as soon as possible.
Later, they may switch to a different antibiotic once lab tests show which bacteria are involved. IV fluids support blood flow and help keep blood pressure up.
If blood pressure stays low after fluids, doctors give vasopressor medications. These medicines tighten blood vessels and raise blood pressure.
Other medications, such as insulin or pain relievers, may be needed based on the person’s symptoms.
| Medication Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Kill or weaken bacteria |
| IV Fluids | Maintain blood flow and blood pressure |
| Vasopressors | Raise dangerously low blood pressure |
| Insulin/Pain Killers | Manage blood sugar or pain as needed |
Support Services and Therapies
Supportive care plays a key role in sepsis treatment. Patients may need extra oxygen, and sometimes a ventilator helps them breathe.
If the kidneys are damaged, doctors use dialysis to filter the blood. In severe cases, patients stay in the intensive care unit so doctors can monitor organ function, heart rate, breathing, and the risk of blood clots.
Surgical Procedures to Remove Infection
In certain cases, doctors may need to perform surgery to remove the source of infection. They might drain pus, take out infected tissue, or remove dead tissue.
These steps help prevent the infection from spreading. Removing the problem area lowers the risk of further organ damage.
