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After the sudden death of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, 41, from sepsis last Thursday, many may have questions about the illness.
Sepsis gets its name from the ancient Greek word sépsis, which means "putrefaction" or "decay." It was coined over 2,500 years ago by early physicians like Homer and Hippocrates who noticed that severe, infected wounds would begin to rot and decompose, ultimately leading to death.
MedStar Health's Dr. Miriam Fischer, sepsis lead and emergency medicine physician, tackles the topic here.
What are the most common ways someone can contract sepsis?
Sepsis is not something a person “catches” directly from another person. It is the body’s extreme response to an infection. Any infection can lead to sepsis, including bacterial, viral, or even fungal. Sepsis can start from pneumonia, a urinary infection, an abdominal infection or even from something in the body such as a tube or implant.
It is also important to note that most sepsis cases begin outside the hospital. Finally, experts believe most sepsis can be treated; knowing the signs and symptoms and getting help is lifesaving.
What signs do people show when they are experiencing sepsis?
Sepsis can be difficult to recognize, which is why public education is so important. One helpful way to remember the warning signs is the acronym S.E.P.S.I.S.
- S – Shivering, fever, or feeling very cold
- E – Extreme pain or discomfort
- P – Pale, discolored, clammy, or sweaty skin
- S – Sleepiness, confusion, or disorientation
- I – “I feel like I might die”
- S – Shortness of breath
Ultimately, sepsis is when an infection goes from local to overwhelming the body. Any combination of these symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency because sepsis can worsen quickly and lead to organ failure, septic shock or death if treatment is delayed.
Do people commonly mistake sepsis for some other illness?
People commonly mistake sepsis for the flu, other viruses or any another infection that will simply get better on its own. Sometimes people simply think they are tired or worn out, not sick. That confusion is understandable because many early symptoms overlap with other illnesses, including fever, chills, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
A MedStar Health national survey found that almost 50% of people aren’t confident they can recognize the signs of sepsis or don’t even know what sepsis is. Knowing the signs and getting help early can truly be lifesaving.
Who is most susceptible to sepsis?
Anyone can develop sepsis, but some groups are at higher risk:
- Adults age 65 and older
- Children younger than 1 year
- People who are pregnant or postpartum
- People who have survived sepsis before
- People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer or kidney disease
- People who recently had severe illnesses, surgeries, or hospitalizations
- People with weakened immune systems including due to medications (steroids, chemotherapy, etc)
Are there specific steps someone can take to prevent sepsis?
Yes. The best way to prevent sepsis is to help prevent infections and act early when infection occurs. Practice good hygiene and regular handwashing, keep cuts and other wounds clean and covered until healed, and seek medical attention quickly if an infection is not getting better. Acting quickly when you suspect signs of sepsis is critical.
How is sepsis treated?
Sepsis is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
The mainstay of treatment is source control or finding the source of the infection and treating it. This may be with antibiotics if the infection is bacterial or with surgery if it is, for example, an intra-abdominal infection. It could even be removal of an implant, tube, or even a tooth causing the infection.
Additional treatment modalities might include IV fluids, medications to maintain blood pressure (also called pressors), and hospitalization. Rapid treatment saves lives. If sepsis is left untreated, it can quickly progress to septic shock, organ failure, and death.
