Can oral antibiotics be an effective treatment for sepsis?

No: Usually in sepsis blood pressure is low. This in turn affects blood flow to the stomach impairing digestion. This makes oral antibiotics a poor route of administration in true sepsis. Parenteral antibiotics (given iv) are safer and more effective.

Sepsis: Sepsis is when bacteria spreads from a point of initial infection to the bloodstream. As a result, blood pressure decreases, heart rate rises, and breathing becomes labored. Sepsis typically recquires IV antibiotics in an icu. If missed or undertreated, a patient could die.

Yes: Oral antibiotics can be helpful.