Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection, and can be life-threatening. In fact, of the over 1.5 million people in the US who are diagnosed with sepsis every year, around 30% of them do not survive. This extremely serious condition is a leading cause of death in hospitals, and is the main reason why people are readmitted to the hospital. September is Sepsis Awareness Month, so we want to help you to recognize the early signs of this condition before it’s too late.
What Causes Sepsis?
When your body has an infection that it cannot fight off, sepsis can develop. Inflammation and blood clotting that occurs when the body is in sepsis then causes reduced blood flow to limbs and vital organs, which can lead to organ failure and even death.
Most sepsis is caused by a bacterial infection, but it can also be caused by viral infections, such as Covid-19, fungal infections; in addition, it can also develop after a traumatic injury. Common causes of sepsis include:
- Infection of the appendix
- Bowel problems
- Infection of the abdominal cavity
- Gallbladder or liver infections
- Infections of the brain or the spinal cord
- Bacteria that enters the skin through wounds or skin inflammation, or the openings made with IV catheters
- Urinary tract infections
Who Is At Risk?
Sepsis can affect anyone, but the following people are at a greater risk of developing it:
- Adults older than 65
- Very young children
- Pregnant women
- People with pre-existing infections or medical conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease
- People with weakened immune systems
- Patients who are in the hospital
- People with severe injuries, such as extensive burns or wounds
- Patients with catheters
Signs & Symptoms
It is very important to recognize the following signs and symptoms of sepsis, so you can get immediate treatment from a doctor or hospital. These signs and symptoms include:
- Fast heart rate
- Shaking or chills
- Confusion or disorientation
- Clammy or sweaty skin
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Rash
Treatment
If you are diagnosed with sepsis, you will need to be treated at the hospital in an intensive care unit, so that doctors can control the infection and protect your organs. To do this, they will use antibiotics and fluids. And if you are in extremely critical condition, you might need a breathing tube, kidney dialysis, or surgery to remove the infection.
Most people can completely recover from sepsis, although some people might have permanent organ damage. Some evidence from the study of patients with severe sepsis has shown that sepsis disrupts a person’s immune system, leading to future infection risks.
Health Insurance
It is important to have health insurance in case you need to be unexpectedly admitted to the hospital for sepsis. If you don’t have a healthcare plan, you could face thousands of dollars in bills and end up in debt. If you’re not sure what plan is right for you, speak to an EZ agent! EZ agents are highly trained and knowledgeable and will sort through all available plans to make sure that you’re completely covered no matter what.
We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies, and can offer all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.
