Sepsis is usually caused by bacterial infections, but it can also be caused by other infections, including viruses, fungi or parasites. Photos for representative purposes only | Image source: Getty Images/Istockphoto
On February 14, Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized for a respiratory infection that developed into bipneumonia. As his condition worsened last weekend, doctors warned that sepsis could be a major threat to his health. However, for the moment, doctors say his condition is improving, and remain vigilant despite the prognosis.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency when your body reacts extreme to an infection. This reaction can cause damage to vital organs and lead to death. Often, it is sometimes called blood poisoning.
Often, your immune system will fight the infection you are infected with. But in some cases, it stops fighting infections and triggers extensive inflammation in your body as well as blood clots. When this happens, blood is damaged to the essential organs in your body, depriving them of nutrients and oxygen, and causing damage.
What common infections can cause sepsis?
Sepsis is usually caused by bacterial infections, but it can also be caused by other infections, including viruses, fungi or parasites. Common types and sites of infection can cause sepsis. These include: infections in the lungs, such as pneumonia or Covid-19; infections in the urinary tract such as bladder or kidney infection; infections in the skin, such as cellulitis; and infections in the gastrointestinal system, such as infections in the gallbladder, liver and intestine.
Sepsis is not an infectious disease. However, it may cause infection.
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Who is at risk of sepsis?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anyone affected by infection, severe injury or severe non-communicable disease can develop sepsis, but the risk is higher for vulnerable groups, including: elderly, pregnant women or recent pregnant women, newborns, residents, hospitalized patients, and people with weaker immune systems and chronic medical conditions.
The WHO notes that sepsis acquired in a healthcare setting is one of the most common adverse events during care delivery, affecting hundreds of millions of patients each year: for every 1,000 hospitalized patients each year, an estimated 15 patients will experience sepsis as a complication of receiving healthcare.
What are the signs and symptoms of sepsis?
There are several symptoms of sepsis. These include: feeling very cold, chills and fever; rapid heart rate or hypotension; shortness of breath; warm or open skin; confusion or irritation; and severe pain or discomfort.
Who says that in children, symptoms may include: rapid breathing, convulsions, pale skin, lethargy, difficulty waking up and feeling cold in touch. In children under five years of age, this may lead to feeding, frequent vomiting, or lack of dysfunction in urination.
For those who have recently been in hospitals, catheter sites and surgical wounds can become sites of infection.
Sepsis can progress quickly. It is important to seek medical help for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
What is the treatment for sepsis?
The faster the treatment of sepsis, the greater its effectiveness. Treatment usually includes antibiotics, which may include other medications, such as accelerators (which tightens blood vessels and helps increase blood pressure), IV fluid to maintain blood flow to the organs, oxygen (if needed), or other supporting care.
Preventing infection is the best way to help prevent sepsis. Maintain good hygiene habits, including manual hygiene, keeping cuts and wounds clean and covered, maintaining a good immune system with a balanced diet and treating chronic conditions, and vaccinating on time, which helps prevent infection.
publishing – February 28, 2025, 5:30 pm IST
