Across the country, at least 70,000 people die every year from blood poisoning, which is medically known as sepsis. Despite advances in medicine, blood poisoning remains the third most common cause of death in Germany – after diseases of the cardiovascular system and cancer.
Sepsis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. If it is detected too late, it can be life-threatening. But even those who survive the severe infection often suffer from the long-term consequences of the disease. One problem is that the signs of blood poisoning are often difficult to identify. But the longer it takes to get a correct diagnosis, the lower the patient’s chances of survival.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis can be a potentially fatal complication of a wide variety of infectious diseases. Predominantly bacteria, rarely viruses or fungi, enter the bloodstream. The immune system fights the infection, but then gets out of control and attacks the body itself. This triggers inflammatory reactions throughout the body, which can cause organ damage or complete organ failure.
The risk of developing sepsis most often affects older people, usually after surgery. But younger people can also get blood poisoning. It can start with a festering tooth, an infected wound, an infection, or other infections in the body.
Red Line: How Do You Recognize Sepsis?
When people talk about sepsis, they often think of the “red line” on the skin that runs from the site of infection to the heart, and once there, leads to death. However, a red line alone is not an indication of blood poisoning. First and foremost, it indicates inflammation of the lymphatic vessels. This disease is caused by bacteria and goes away with the administration of antibiotics.
“In rare cases, inflammation of the lymphatic vessels – like any inflammation – can trigger sepsis if it spreads throughout the bloodstream. Combined with a strong feeling of illness, confusion, rapid pulse or fever, the red line may indicate sepsis and requires immediate medical attention. treatment,” writes the Sepsis Foundation (external link).
Possible symptoms of sepsis
A red line is not always visible in sepsis. The symptoms of blood poisoning are nonspecific, so they are often not recognized in time. For this reason, the following symptoms that appear suddenly and intensely after an infectious disease should be taken very seriously: general malaise, fever, tachycardia, rapid breathing, chills, severe pain or a general feeling of weakness and confusion.
If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately contact a doctor or emergency room or go to the hospital. Sepsis is considered an emergency. The Sepsis Foundation offers a basic check (external link).
How is sepsis treated?
Sepsis requires immediate treatment. The inflammation can only be stopped with the right antibiotic. However, the doctor must know which bacteria or fungus caused the infection.
As a rule, these tests are performed in specialized laboratories and take up to three days. Valuable time that can determine the life or death of a person. For this reason, a broad-spectrum antibiotic is administered intravenously during the waiting period.
Can you protect yourself from sepsis?
You can’t directly protect yourself from sepsis. But because blood poisoning is “the most serious stage (complication) of an infection,” according to the Sepsis Foundation, you can try to prevent infection. The following steps can help reduce your risk of infection:
- Hygiene measures as a careful hand hygiene
- beware of possible infections
- Carefully observe infected wounds and insect bites and seek medical treatment if necessary.
- conscious use of medications such as antibiotics
- Receive the vaccinations recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission of the Robert Koch Institute (STIKO) – e.g. against Meningococci.