The therapy of blood poisoning is divided into four paths: The first path involves the therapy of the entry portal or the focus of infection (= focus cleanup). This can be done surgically or by administering suitable antimicrobial drugs. Because of the high risks, drug therapy is started with the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics or combination preparations as soon as blood poisoning is suspected, although the pathogen is still unknown.
Attempts are made to narrow down the spectrum of the pathogen. Influence is exerted by age, underlying diseases, the condition of the immune system and other factors, which are to be found out in a detailed discussion. As soon as the pathogen is known, the choice of medication depends on it.
The second path of therapy for blood poisoning is to strengthen the immune system of the person affected. Here, drugs are given which influence the increased tendency of the blood to clot. In the process, the smallest clots are dissolved and the tendency to form these clots is reduced.
This therapy also has an anti-inflammatory effect. The drug is an activated protein C, which physiologically also occurs in the blood. By influencing the coagulation system, however, there is an increased risk of bleeding.
The third path of therapy for blood poisoning involves intensive medical monitoring. Here, various parameters such as oxygen supply, respiration and circulation can be monitored particularly well and changes can be reacted to quickly. The last path describes a symptomatic therapy of blood poisoning.
The individual organs or systems (e.g. kidneys) and their functions are constantly monitored using the appropriate organ-specific parameters. The prognosis of blood poisoning (sepsis) depends on the type of pathogen and the therapeutic options against the pathogen. Above all, however, it depends on the time of the start of therapy.
About 20% die within two weeks. In contrast, about half of the patients die with septic shock. A too low body temperature (hypothermia) seems to be unfavourable for the prognosis.
Complications
The complications of blood poisoning (sepsis) include the failure of individual organs such as the cardiovascular system, kidney and liver and, last but not least, multi-organ failure and septic shock.
