Signs and Symptoms of Sepsis: Diagnosing Sepsis Before It’s Too Late

By Thomas Greer | January 25, 2015

Many people want to know what is sepsis and how do you get. Sepsis is caused by a severe infection that has spread to a person’s blood stream. When a person begins to exhibit the signs and symptoms associated with sepsis, the patient’s condition is serious and will usually require treatment in an intensive care unit. There are common signs and symptoms of sepsis, including:

  • Fever
  • Chills and severe shaking
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Increased respiratory rate
  • Low blood pressure
  • Low white blood cell count

Can Sepsis be Prevented?

Sepsis is an emergency medical condition that requires a rapid and aggressive response from medical providers. If an elderly patient is allowed to become septic, the death rate can be as high as 80%. Therefore, diagnosing a patient’s underlying illness before the person becomes septic is the key to saving the patient’s life. Patients with sepsis will typically be given oxygen and IV antibiotic therapy and will be monitored in the intensive care unit of a hospital. The underlying infection that ultimately causes a person to become “septic” can vary widely, but some of the most common causes include:

  • Bedsores
  • Pneumonia
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Cellulitis
  • GI bleeding

Medical Errors that Lead to Sepsis Can Result in a Lawsuit

The Memphis, Tennessee medical malpractice lawyers at Bailey & Greer have handled numerous cases involving a failure to diagnosis that ultimately led to sepsis. We are capable of handling cases throughout the southeast and accross the country. Call us today at 901-680-9777 for a free consultation.

Posted in Library, Medical Malpractice