Sepsis is a rare but potentially fatal condition found in many California Nursing Homes, which can cause multiple organ failure.

It happens when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive as it tries to fight an Infection.

This can cause more problems than the initial infection, as widespread inflammation damages tissue and interferes with blood flow.

It can be triggered by an infection anywhere in the body, but most commonly in the lungs, urinary tract, stomach and pelvis.

Other areas with infections that can be associated with sepsis include the appendix, gallbladder, bile ducts, skin, brain, bones or heart – and even flu can trigger it.

What are the symptoms of sepsis?

Early symptoms include fast breathing or a fast heartbeat, high or low temperature, chills and shivering. Sufferers may or may not have a fever.

Severe symptoms can develop soon afterwards and include blood pressure falling low, dizziness, disorientation, slurred speech, mottled skin, nausea and vomiting.

Who is at risk of sepsis?

Anyone can develop sepsis after a minor infection or injury, with 260,000 estimated cases a year and tens of thousands of deaths.

But the most vulnerable people are young children, the elderly, people with a medical condition or treatment that weakens their immune system, people in hospital with a serious illness, people injured in accidents and people who have just had surgery.

Is sepsis the same as blood poisoning?

Sepsis is often called blood poisoning or septicaemia, but they are not the same.

You can get sepsis and it can affect multiple organs without having blood poisoning or septicaemia.

You can also get sepsis from viral or fungal infections as well as bacterial ones.

What is the treatment for sepsis?

Treatment involves antibiotics, intravenous fluids and oxygen, if levels are low.

But severe cases or septic shock – dangerously low blood pressure – may require admission to an intensive care unit, which can help keep the body going while staff focus on tackling the infection.

How likely is sepsis to kill?

Sepsis is treatable if identified and treated quickly, with most sufferers enjoying a full recovery with no lasting problems.

But up to four in every 10 people ill with severe sepsis die from the condition, and an estimated six in 10 dying from septic shock.

The Peck Law Group, APC:

The Peck Law Group represents seniors, elders and dependent adults that have sustained physical abuse and / or neglect in Nursing Homes, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Assisted Living Facilities in the State of California.  Please contact us toll free at 866-999-9085.  We will help you!!!