The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute points out that vaccinations against influenza and pneumococci, as well as vaccinations against meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae B, can help reduce the incidence (frequency of new cases) of sepsis.
To prevent sepsis (blood poisoning), attention must be paid to reducing risk factors.
Disease-related risk factors
Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).
- Infection with pathogens, unspecified (see under Causes).
Sepsis and vaccination
Because sepsis always begins with infection, all patients, esp. patients with asplenia (removal of the spleen or failure of organ function), should be vaccinated preventively against:
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) (neonates and infants).
- Influenza (flu vaccination) (annual).
- Meningococcal
- PneumococcalNote: In principle, sequential vaccination with a conjugate vaccine (possibly better immunogenicity for this indication) followed by PPSV23 (broader serotype coverage) is recommended for persons with asplenia.
Prevention factors (protective factors)
Measures to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (pneumonia), central venous catheter-associated bacteremia, urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infection are:
- Hygienic hand disinfection before and after patient contact.
- Working sterilely when introducing foreign objects into the patient; removing them immediately when they are no longer indicated
- Frequent upper body elevation in ventilated patients.
- Early – onset within 24 h – oral/enteral nutrition in patients after gastrointestinal tract (GI) surgery; immunomodulating tube feedings are recommended in elective surgical patients with tumors in the GI tract and in polytrauma patients (patients with multiple concurrent injuries to different body regions)
- Lowering serum glucose (blood sugar) levels < 150 mg/dl (< 8.3 mmol/l) may be considered
- Selective bowel decontamination (SDD) or selective oral decontamination (SOD) should be performed for prophylaxis of pneumonia (lung infection) in patients expected to be ventilated for longer than 48 h
- Furthermore, oral antiseptics such as chlorhexidine should be used for oral care
