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Sepsis Stages and Symptoms

Symptoms of Sepsis

Sepsis always appears as a result of a basic infection (pneumonia, urinary or skin infection, meningitis, etc.). This means that there is already an ongoing disease caused by viruses or bacteria, with its characteristic symptoms, such as fever, general malaise, urine retention, which can soon be noticed because they do not pass or seem to get worse. But there are other symptoms that serve as a red alert for sepsis and require immediate attention.

The symptoms of sepsis can vary [11] greatly from person to person. Old age and various concomitant diseases can be factors that change the manifestation of the disease. For example, the manifestations of sepsis in diabetic patients and those receiving chemotherapy for cancer may be obscured by an underlying medical condition. It is important for the patient and their loved ones to be able to distinguish between symptoms that differ from everyday ones.

Symptoms of sepsis and septic shock are associated with organ dysfunction. Sepsis is suspected if a person has at least two of the following:

        • increased body temperature (more than 38 degrees) 
        • significantly-lowered temperature(less than 36 degrees);
        • blood pressure is much lower than usual;
        • pulse rate is much higher than usual;
        • dyspnea [12]];
        • weakness, exhaustion;
        • confusion, changes in normal behavior;
        • Decreased urine [13] output.

The hallmark symptoms for sepsis that should be watched out for are alteration of consciousness, accelerated breathing, and low blood pressure.