The Sepsis Alliance defines Sepsis as "the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to an infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. In other words, it’s your body’s overactive and toxic response to an infection"(Sepsis Alliance, 2019).
The body's immune system works to fight off germs to prevent infection, however, in some cases, the body stops fighting the germs and begins to attack itself (Sepsis Alliance, 2019).
Children, the elderly, people who have chronic illnesses, or a weakened immune system have a higher chance of developing sepsis because of their increased likelihood of getting an infection (Sepsis Alliance, 2019).
Sepsis Symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing (Sepsis Alliance, 2019)
- Low or no urine output
- Abnormal liver test (Sepsis Alliance, 2019)
- Changes in mental status
- Septic Shock is the most severe level and is diagnosed when blood a patient's blood pressure drops dangerously low
