Customer question:
How does sepsis occur? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
Sepsis occurs when the body reacts to an infection in a way that triggers a robust systemic inflammatory response. A typical response to infection is for the body to try to get rid of pathogens and limit the spread of the infection. However, in sepsis, this response backfires, which can lead to severe problems.
The process of developing sepsis usually involves the following steps:
- Infection: Sepsis is usually triggered by a bacterial or fungal infection, but viruses or parasites can also cause it. The infection can start in any body part, including the lungs, urinary tract, abdominal cavity, skin, or other parts.
- Initiation of an inflammatory response: when the body detects the presence of pathogens, it initiates an inflammatory response. The immune system releases substances such as cytokines to fight infection.
- Transition to a systemic inflammatory response: in sepsis, instead of remaining limited to the infected area, the inflammatory response spreads to the whole body. This can cause systemic inflammation that affects organs and tissues.
- Other consequences: systemic inflammation can cause blood circulation problems, disturb the normal functioning of organs, cause changes in the structure of blood vessels, and lead to coagulation (clotting) of blood in the vessels.
- Organ failure: If the septic response is not controlled in time, organ failure in the lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart can occur. Organ failure is one of the most severe consequences of sepsis.
Interesting reading: Septic shock
Interesting reading: Is sepsis curable?
