Sepsis is a life-threatening disease that disturbs the immune system by attacking the whole body and damaging multiple organs. Sepsis is often referred to as blood poisoning in the colloquial language. This term is not accurate to describe the clinical picture of this disease, because sepsis also attacks human tissues and organs. Also, sepsis is not caused due to a pathogen that ''poisons" blood. The cause of sepsis rather lies in the inadequate reaction of the immune system to the infection.
Sepsis is an absolute emergency. The faster a person falls sick with sepsis, the lower are the overall chances of survival and recovery.
Sepsis is normally caused by a bacterial infection. However, there are some cases in which parasites, viruses, or fungus has been responsible for the outbreak of sepsis.
The most common pathogens are E. coli, Streptococci, Staphylococci, Pseudomonades, Bacilli, Enterococci, Enterobacter spp., Candida spp. and Klebsiella. It is assumed that there are as many infections during outpatient care as there is with nosocomial pathogens. Serious respiratory tract infections, post-operative wound infections, primary sepsis without any traceable vessel catheter (including infections which are associated with vessel catheters) and symptomatic urinary tract infections are among the nosocomial infections which are typically connected to sepsis [1].
In principle, anyone who contracts an infection can develop sepsis. With approximately 50 million cases of sepsis and about 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide each year, the disease affects people of all ages and in all regions [2]. In Germany, too, sepsis poses a significant public health challenge and is one of the leading causes of death. Recent analyses indicate that the number of sepsis-related deaths—at around 211,000 in 2021—is significantly higher than previously estimated [3, 4].
However, the risk of sepsis is not the same for everyone. Older adults, newborns, pregnant women, hospitalized patients, and people with weakened immune systems or certain pre-existing conditions are particularly at risk. People without a spleen also have an increased risk of developing a severe infection and progressing to sepsis [5]. Since any infection can be the starting point for sepsis, early detection of infections and appropriate preventive measures are of particular importance.
Fever or hypothermia, and increased breathing and heart rate as well as Leukocytosis and Leukopenia. Additionally, change of consciousness, hypotension, exhaustion, coughing, stomach ache, reddened wounds, and kidney pain is also among the symptoms. Most of the symptoms are not specific to sepsis and can also be caused by other diseases. The guiding criteria for sepsis were summoned in a revised definition from 2017: Organ Dysfunction, Cardiovascular Collapse that does not react to a fluid supply, Lactate Values over 2 mmol/L 3 [6].
Time is one of the most important components in the treatment of Sepsis. An emergency call should be called immediately. People who fall ill with sepsis need intensive care and will receive intravenous, antimicrobial therapy. A broadband therapy will normally start which can cover the bacteria or parasites that have cause sepsis. The antimicrobial treatment will only be limited when the results of the pathogen diagnostics are available [7].
Once a person with sepsis has recovered, sufficient time should be allowed for convalescence, and the need for rehabilitation should be assessed.
The easiest way to prevent sepsis is the avoidance of any infections. This includes the implementation of effective hygienic measures, programs for the prevention of infections, hygienic cooking of food, improvement of water quality, access to vaccines and a healthy eating habits.
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