Sepsis

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a rare, but potentially life-threatening illness that can happen in response to blood infections caused by certain toxin-producing bacteria.

The infection can start anywhere in the body.

The common sites for bacteria to enter the blood stream are the lungs, intestines, urinary tract (kidneys), skin and upper respiratory tract (ears, nose, or throat).

Because the infected blood travels throughout the body, toxins released by the bacteria can affect all the other organ systems in the body. These toxins can cause the body's immune system to overreact and attack itself.

If not treated, sepsis can cause the kidneys, lungs, brain, and other organs to stop working, leading to life-threatening circulatory failure (septic shock).

The most common bacteria that can cause sepsis are Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Neisseria menigitidis (meningococcus), Haemophilus influenzae type b, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus.

In newborn babies different types of intestinal bacteria, including E.coli, listeria monocytogenes and Group B streptococcus (GBS) can cause sepsis. Rarely, viral and fungal infections can also trigger sepsis.

Treatment / What you should do

If you fear that your child has sepsis, you must immediately contact a doctor or call an ambulance.

A child with sepsis will need to be admitted to the hospital for intensive treatment, including high doses of antibiotics, intravenous fluids, blood pressure support, and other helpful measures.

Blood tests will be taken to confirm that there are bacteria in the blood. Sometimes, samples of the fluid around the spinal cord (a lumbar puncture) are taken to look for meningitis, along with a urine sample to look for a urine infection.

Contact a doctor immediately, if your infant does not want to eat, has a fever, has difficulty breathing, has poor skin color, seems irritable, or lethargic, or the 'soft spot' on the child's head seems fuller than usual. These all can be signs that your child has a serious infection.