Sepsis

Why in News?

• Many coronavirus patients have died of sepsis — when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive.

About Sepsis

• Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the body’s immune system overreacting in response to an infection.
• This overactive, toxic response can lead to tissue damage, multiple organ failure and death.
• Despite the high incidence of sepsis, knowledge about sepsis prevention and early detection in Germany is significantly lower than in comparable industrialized countries.
• Viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites – sepsis can be triggered by a variety of pathogens.
• The causes of sepsis are usually pneumonia, wound infections, urinary tract infections or infections in the abdominal cavity.
• In addition to the known seasonal influenza viruses, other viruses that are highly infectious, such as coronaviruses, Ebola and yellow fever viruses, dengue, swine flu or bird flu viruses can also cause sepsis.
• In addition to the typical signs of infection, there are several stand out symptoms that usually indicate possible sepsis — for example, a drop in blood pressure with a simultaneous rise in heart rate, fever, rapid, heavy breathing, an unusually strong feeling of illness and sudden confusion.
• Septic shock is the most severe stage and is diagnosed when blood pressure drops to dangerous levels.

PRELIMS QUESTION:

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Sepsis:

1.It is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the body’s immune system overreacting in response to an infection.

2. Sepsis can be triggered by a variety of pathogens like Viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2d) Neither 1 nor 2Answer to Prelims question