Symptoms in the early phase of sepsis
In the early phase of sepsis, certain changes provide an important clue to the disease. Since they are not specific, the joint appearance of the following symptoms is another indication that sepsis may be present.
- Heated skin, sometimes with the addition of a rash
- High fever (over 38 degrees Celsius), often associated with chills. Caution: Especially very young and very old sepsis patients have low temperature (below 36 degrees Celsius, “hypothermia”) instead of fever.
- Confusion or disorientation
- Accelerated breathing (hyperventilation)
- Accelerated heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Poor general condition
- Pale or gray skin color
- Increased white blood cell count (leukocytes – are responsible for body defense), in severe cases of sepsis leukocyte levels are sometimes significantly decreased
Depending on the site of infection, other sepsis symptoms often include:
- In pulmonary infections: Shortness of breath and/or purulent sputum
- In urinary tract infections: Pain when urinating and/or altered urine odor
- In central nervous system infections (such as meningitis): severe headache, increased sensitivity of the eyes to light, torticollis
- In abdominal infections (such as appendicitis): Abdominal pain
Symptoms in severe sepsis
- A low blood pressure below 100mmHg
- Increased respiratory rate of more than 22 breaths per minute
- Marked disturbance of consciousness and confusion
- Cool and pale skin, especially on hands and feet with blue coloration (cyanosis) and marbling
Blood poisoning left untreated leads to physical impairment and eventual failure of various organs. Here are some examples:
If sepsis has spread to the liver, jaundice (icterus), a yellowish discoloration of the skin, sometimes occurs.
Sepsis may impair kidney function , causing the patient to excrete less and less urine (oliguria) – up to and including complete kidney failure.
Blood circulation deteriorates because the blood clots more easily. For example, small blood clots (thrombi) constrict or block the tiny blood vessels (capillaries). The affected tissues or organs then no longer receive sufficient oxygen. In this way, septic shock causes symptoms triggered by the sudden organ failure, such as stroke, kidney failure, or heart attack.
Symptoms of septic shock
In the article Septic shock you will learn more about the symptoms of septic shock in the course of blood poisoning.
These effects place the highest demands on modern medicine in the treatment of sepsis. Symptoms of this severity often cannot be controlled even with the most modern high-tech medicine. Therefore, early and competent treatment of sepsis is particularly important.
