Sepsis - anyone else have this problem?

mswijiknyc
mswijiknyc Member Posts: 421
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I'll ask the basic question and if anyone would like the back story I can fill in the gaps.

Has anyone else had sepsis? Where does it come from?

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    Sepsis
    Alternative Names: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

    Sepsis is a bacterial infection it can begin anywhere in the body. Common places where an infection might start in the bowel, kidneys, liver, gall bladder, lungs and skin

    Sepsis is often life-threatening, especially in people with a weakened immune system or with other illness.

    Symptoms
    • Chills
    • Confusion or delirium
    • Decreased urine output
    • Fever or low body temperature (hypothermia)
    • Hyperventilation
    • Lightheadedness
    • Rapid heart beat
    • Shaking
    • Skin rash
    • Warm skin

    This is some bad stuff so be carful
  • mswijiknyc
    mswijiknyc Member Posts: 421
    #3
    Hondo said:

    Sepsis
    Alternative Names: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

    Sepsis is a bacterial infection it can begin anywhere in the body. Common places where an infection might start in the bowel, kidneys, liver, gall bladder, lungs and skin

    Sepsis is often life-threatening, especially in people with a weakened immune system or with other illness.

    Symptoms
    • Chills
    • Confusion or delirium
    • Decreased urine output
    • Fever or low body temperature (hypothermia)
    • Hyperventilation
    • Lightheadedness
    • Rapid heart beat
    • Shaking
    • Skin rash
    • Warm skin

    This is some bad stuff so be carful

    that's just peachy :((
    well thanks for the info. He has probably had this for a while then because his symptoms, with the exception of the delirium which started yesterday, have been ongoing for a few weeks.

    What course of treatment is available for this? He is currently on antibiotics.

    And secondly, could this kill him?
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #4
    mswijiknyc said:

    that's just peachy :((
    well thanks for the info. He has probably had this for a while then because his symptoms, with the exception of the delirium which started yesterday, have been ongoing for a few weeks.

    What course of treatment is available for this? He is currently on antibiotics.

    And secondly, could this kill him?

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/hea

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sepsis/DS01004/DSECTION=symptoms

    The mayo clinic has a good site. Easy to navigate and understand.
    It is always important to get information, but it is easy to get too much and scare yourself, more than you need. Has he been diagnosed with sepsis? I know it is a fine line between waiting to hear from the doctor and doing the research yourself. I have been an RN for 25 years. Some of the hardest times was when my mom was a cancer pt at New York hospital and I couldn't get anyone to listen to my concerns. I did a lot better by the time I was the patient.
    My heart is with you.
    Stacey
  • mswijiknyc
    mswijiknyc Member Posts: 421
    #5
    staceya said:

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/hea

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sepsis/DS01004/DSECTION=symptoms

    The mayo clinic has a good site. Easy to navigate and understand.
    It is always important to get information, but it is easy to get too much and scare yourself, more than you need. Has he been diagnosed with sepsis? I know it is a fine line between waiting to hear from the doctor and doing the research yourself. I have been an RN for 25 years. Some of the hardest times was when my mom was a cancer pt at New York hospital and I couldn't get anyone to listen to my concerns. I did a lot better by the time I was the patient.
    My heart is with you.
    Stacey

    that's what the docs said . . .
    He had A LOT of swelling in his jam and neck, and I have noticed that since the IV antibiotics have started the swelling had almost completely gone away. Been looking up sepsis and it's a possible prognosis but so is being fine with no issues too.

    They currently have him on Ativan for the agitation and they had to restrain him to keep him from walking off the ward. Not sure if this will help the delirium or not.

    Find out tomorrow.
  • skipper85
    skipper85 Member Posts: 229
    #6
    mswijiknyc said:

    that's what the docs said . . .
    He had A LOT of swelling in his jam and neck, and I have noticed that since the IV antibiotics have started the swelling had almost completely gone away. Been looking up sepsis and it's a possible prognosis but so is being fine with no issues too.

    They currently have him on Ativan for the agitation and they had to restrain him to keep him from walking off the ward. Not sure if this will help the delirium or not.

    Find out tomorrow.

    April
    Hope you get some answers today. I know how frustrated you must feel. Keep us posted.

    Remember we're here for you.

    (((HUGS)))

    Skipper

Discussion Boards