Sepsis (often wrongly referred to as blood poisoning) is the body’s overwhelming reaction to an infection caused by a staphylococcus aureus infection (staph infection). The staph infection triggers a dangerous immune system response that leads to sepsis and impacts the entire body. Severe staph infections may cause your body’s immune system to malfunction and attack the body instead of the infection which leads to life threatening sepsis. Sepsis can quickly turn severe causing tissue damage, organ failure, shock, stroke, heart attack and death.
Symptoms may include:
Sepsis is considered a medical emergency and prompt treatment is needed in order to prevent death
Sepsis can be caused by a staph infection that is not treated or is not responding to treatment. It can also be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections such as influenza or COVID-19, and fungal infections.
Risk factors for developing a staph infection followed by sepsis include:
Healthcare providers will take your temperature and evaluate your heart and breathing rate. A wound culture is carried out using tissue, fluid, or skin taken from the affected area to determine the presence of staphylococcus aureus. A urine sample is also usually obtained to evaluate any urinary tract or kidney problems.
Blood tests look for markers that can indicate the immune system has entered overdrive mode.
Sufferers of sepsis are usually hospitalized and often placed in the intensive care unit for close monitoring and aggressive treatment. Treatment includes the administration of intravenous fluids, antibiotics, steroids, and blood pressure medications. In some cases, surgery to remove the infection and damaged tissue is necessary to prevent a fatal outcome.