I recognize streptococcal sepsis by these symptoms

Characteristically, streptococcal sepsis cannot be identified by a single so-called leading symptom. Rather, it is the abundance of many individual symptoms that makes up the picture of sepsis. Due to the infection, the symptoms fever and chills are usually added to the suspected sepsis caused by streptococci.

As the circulation tries to get rid of as little heat as possible during streptococcal sepsis, centralization occurs. The hands (and arms) and feet (and legs) are only slightly supplied with blood, while the internal organs receive a lot of blood from the circulation. In particularly severe cases, when the fluid balance is already very out of balance, edema (water retention) and petechiae (small skin bleedings) can also occur.

Depending on where the focus of the infection lies, symptoms from the affected organ system may also occur.

An increased breathing rate (over 22/min),
Low systolic blood pressure (below 100 mmHg)
As well as a vigilance reduction (reduction of mental abilities such as alertness, attention, etc. )

Treatment and therapy

Streptococcal sepsis is a very severe disease pattern that can become life-threatening without adequate therapy. Therefore, an early start of treatment (within a few hours) is crucial. Further therapeutic measures are applied depending on the symptoms.

For example, in cases of respiratory distress, oxygen can be given as a support. Those who have problems with blood sugar regulation can receive temporary insulin treatment. If an organ fails under the streptococcal sepsis, the function must be temporarily replaced by machine.

In order to stabilize the circulation, fluid is given into the vein, and so-called catecholamines, i.e. hormones that additionally stimulate the circulation, are administered.
In addition, a strong antibiotic therapy in the first hours is part of the treatment. This is given according to the motto “hit early and hard” to stem the flood of bacteria.
These antibiotics are usually given as broad-spectrum antibiotics in the case of sepsis, since it is often not known at the beginning which bacteria are responsible for the infection, in order to cover as large a potential spectrum of bacteria as possible as early as possible. After the blood cultures have been tested for bacteria, the antibiotics are adjusted.
In the case of streptococcal sepsis, penicillin antibiotics are the main treatment.
In the second therapy step, the focus of the infection is treated. In addition one can give locally additionally antibiotics, perhaps the bacteria stove must be treated even surgically.