Question 1

i have been suffereing side effects from sepsis and i want to be able to exercise again but i couldnt do it on my own what should i do ? any advise?

Accepted Answer

Easy does it: Sepsis indicates an overwhelming infection and your body uses all its energy to fight this. If you are bedbound during this you lose muscle mass and have less energy. You can get it back but you need to start slow. Start with a walking plan to aim for 20-30 minutes total per day and increase that each week by 5-10minutes. Add in some resistence training with body weight (sit ups, plank)

Question 2

i had a major blood infection last year (sepsis) no insurance so minimal health care. is there any long term effects i should be concerned about?

Accepted Answer

Most of the time no: In general if someone has sepsis and recovers there is no long term effect of the sepsis per se.  The condition that placed someone at risk for sepsis may persist and need care. For example someone who has a chronic disease ( copd, kidney failure, cancer) may have gotten sepsis as a consequence of the disease and the underlying illness would still need care.

Question 3

i believe that abx are usually given quickly after there is a strong suspicion of sepsis. how quickly, in your opinion, should n/s drip be given? why?

Accepted Answer

Saline: In cases of severe sepsis iv fluids are needed and started asap along with iv antibiotics. The goal is to avoid dehydration, low bp and kidney failure. The rate of infusion of saline or  5%dextrose with normal or half normal saline depends upon blood pressure, cardiorenal status,ability of patient to take by mouth and degree of dehydration or fluid loss upon admission to the hospital.

Question 4

is sepsis painful?

Accepted Answer

Can be uncomfortable: While sepsis is not classically thought of as painful by itself,  patients with sepsis can require painful interventions such as central venous catheters, endotracheal intubation, and may develop painful complications such as issues with skin integrity. Patients may experience discomfort from fluid overload and difficulty breathing. Not everyone with sepsis has pain, but it can occur.

Question 5

how is sepsis diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Sepsis is : A syndrome consisting of bacteremia, fever or hypothermia, elevated or depressed WBC count, low blood pressure, and shock.  Any combination of the foregoing, depending on severity, can be sign of sepsis.

Question 6

what are sepsis sores like?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Skin lesions in sepsis vary depending on the causative agent.  For instance in infection related to raw shellfish (called vibrio) the skin lesion is blue/purple and forms large blisters.  In an infection from meningococcus (a bacteria) the sores are raised, palpable and purple (so called purpura fulminans).  Many other skin lesions can be seen in sepsis it just depends on what causes it.

Question 7

what are the tests for sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Tests: Cbc, esr, crp, blood & wound culture, bone scan etc.

Question 8

what's sepsis and is there a cure?

Accepted Answer

Infection: Sepsis is a form of poisoning caused by an infection. The treatment is antibiotics, control of the infection, and supportive measures to keep other organs working while the body heals.

Question 9

what are the complications of sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Organ failure, death: Sepsis is a dangerous condition that can result in severly low blood pressure, heart failure, pulmonary edema requiring a ventilator, kidney failure, delirium, further infection due to malnutrition and weakened immune state, and ultimately death. With aggressive, early treatment in the hospital, these can be mitigated most of the time.

Question 10

is septicemia the same thing as sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: Usually the terms "bacteremia" is used to describe bacteria in the bloodstream that are not necessarily causing in inflmmatory, infecious response.  Sepsis (or septicema) is the result of bacteremia when symptoms of inflammation occur.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

After effects of sepsis

A member asked:

I have been suffereing side effects from sepsis and i want to be able to exercise again but i couldnt do it on my own what should i do ? any advise?

A member asked:

I had a major blood infection last year (sepsis) no insurance so minimal health care. is there any long term effects i should be concerned about?

A member asked:

I believe that abx are usually given quickly after there is a strong suspicion of sepsis. how quickly, in your opinion, should n/s drip be given? why?

A member asked:

Is sepsis painful?

A member asked:

How is sepsis diagnosed?

A member asked:

What are sepsis sores like?

A member asked:

What are the tests for sepsis?

A member asked:

What's sepsis and is there a cure?

A member asked:

What are the complications of sepsis?

A member asked:

Is septicemia the same thing as sepsis?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?