Your immune system is vital in the fight against bacteria, viruses, and other germs. However, the immune system can sometimes overreact to serious infections and cause inflammation all over the body. Known as sepsis, this medical condition can lead to severe effects and may even be life-threatening without the proper treatment.
Sepsis requires comprehensive treatment within a hospital setting. If a person is already hospitalized when symptoms are detected, they will likely be moved to the intensive care unit of the facility.
The goal of sepsis treatment is to resolve infection and control harmful symptoms before major damage occurs. With bacterial infections, appropriate antibiotics will be provided. Many physicians will administer broad-spectrum drugs initially to begin fighting the infection, then switch to a targeted medication once the specific bacterial strain is identified.
Sepsis can also progress to septic shock, which causes a person’s blood pressure to drop to dangerous levels. Doctors can treat low blood pressure related to septic shock with vasopressors, which are medications that cause blood vessels to constrict.
Sepsis is a very serious health condition, especially when it advances to more severe stages. Accordingly, early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance of a successful outcome. Along with medication, people experiencing sepsis may also require IV fluid replenishment, oxygen therapy, and surgery to remove infected and/or badly damaged tissues.