Sepsis
Sepsis can be triggered by an infection in any part of the body. The most common sites of infection leading to sepsis are the lungs, urinary tract, tummy (abdomen) and pelvis.
Sepsis may develop when you're already in hospital. For example, you're more likely to develop sepsis if:
Types of infection associated with sepsis include:
Sometimes the specific infection and source of sepsis can't be identified.
Usually, your immune system keepsan infection limited to one place. This isknown as a localised infection.
Your body produces white blood cells, which travel to the site of the infection to destroy the germs causing infection.
A series of biological processes occur, such as tissue swelling, which helps fight the infection and prevents it spreading. This process is known as inflammation.
If your immune system is weak or an infection is particularly severe, it can quickly spread through the blood into other parts of the body. This causes the immune system to go into overdrive, and the inflammation affects the entire body.
This can cause more problems than the initial infection, as widespread inflammation damages tissue and interferes with blood flow.
The interruption in blood flow leads to a dangerous drop in blood pressure, which stops oxygen reaching your organs and tissues.
Everybody is potentially at risk of developing sepsis from minor infections. However, some people are more vulnerable, including people who:
Sepsis is a particular risk for people already in hospital because of another serious illness.
Bacterial infections that can be caught in hospital, such as MRSA , tend to be more serious, as these bacteria have often developed a resistance to many commonly used antibiotics .
Sepsis, also referred to as blood poisoning or septicaemia, is a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection or injury.
Sepsis can be triggered by an infection in any part of the body. The most common sites of infection leading to sepsis are the lungs, urinary tract, tummy (abdomen) and pelvis.
Treatment for sepsis varies, depending on the site and cause of the initial infection, the organs affected and the extent of any damage.