Lecture 6.3 - Sepsis

What is Sepsis?

• Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs.

Sources of Infection

• Bronchopneumonia, unspecified organism (J18.0)
• Lobar pneumonia, unspecified organism (J18.1)
• Pneumonia, unspecified organism (J18.9)
• Generalized peritonitis (K65.0)
• Cellulitis, unspecified (L03.9)
• Cellulitis of limb (L03.1)
• Urinary tract infection (N39.0)

Global Sepsis Mortality

• Not specified

Symptoms of Sepsis

In Children

• Breathing very fast
• Having a 'fit' or convulsion
• Looking mottled, bluish, or pale
• Having a rash that does not fade when pressed
• Being very lethargic or difficult to wake up
• Feeling abnormally cold to touch

In Adults

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain
• Passing no urine in a day
• Severe breathlessness
• Feeling like you're going to die
• Skin mottled or discoloured

The Sepsis Continuum

Stages of Inflammation

• Vasodilatation, causing relative hypovolaemia and leaky capillaries, leading to absolute hypovolaemia
• Increased permeability
• Migration and amplification

Early Effects

• Decreased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Increased respiratory rate
• Increased cardiac output

Later Effects

• Oedema/swelling
• Altered mentation
• Decreased urine output
• Increased respiratory rate
• Decreased cardiac output
• Increased lactate

Antibiotic Timing

• Not specified

Understand the life-threatening condition of sepsis, its causes, and related infections. Learn about the different sources of infection and their corresponding codes.