Sepsis Treatment
UPMC's providers all have training in knowing the signs of sepsis and to act quickly to diagnose and treat it.
The goal of treating sepsis is to cure the infection causing it to help the immune system return to normal. Sepsis treatment will also try to stop organ damage from occurring.
Treating sepsis caused by bacteria
We may give you an IV with antibiotics to treat an infection caused by bacteria.
Some common side effects from antibiotics are:
- Nausea.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Not feeling hungry.
- Discomfort in your belly.
- Rash.
- Dizziness.
- Yeast infections.
Some people have allergies to certain types of antibiotics or other medications. Make sure your doctor knows this so they can find treatments that are safe for you.
C. diff infection as a side effect of antibiotic use
One possible serious side effect of antibiotics is C. diff — a bacterial infection. It occurs because antibiotics can kill off 'good' bacteria in your body that normally protect it against C. diff.
The risk of C. diff is 7 to 10 times higher when taking antibiotics.
The most common symptom of C. diff is severe watery diarrhea at least three times a day.
Other common symptoms of C. diff are:
- Severe diarrhea, up to 10 to 15 times a day.
- Fever.
- Stomach pain, cramping ,or tenderness.
- Not feeling hungry.
- Nausea.
- Rapid or increased heart rate.
- Blood or pus in the stool.
If you're taking antibiotics and have any of these symptoms, let a doctor or nurse know right away.
Antibiotics that most often cause C. diff:
- Clindamycin.
- Cephalosporins.
- Penicillin.
- Fluoroquinolones.
Treating sepsis caused by a virus
If the infection came from a virus or other germ, doctors will only give you anti-viral drugs that can fight that germ. Antibiotics don't help viral infections.
Side effects from anti-viral drugs vary by drug, but some common ones are:
- An upset stomach.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Dizziness.
- Tiredness.
- Feeling anxious.
- A mild headache.
Ask the doctor about possible side effects of the anti-viral drug they give you.
Tell your doctor if you have severe effects, such as:
- Trouble breathing.
- New fever or chills.
- Confusion.
- Problems speaking.
- A severe headache.
- Shaking, trembling, or trouble moving.
- Numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, fingers, or feet.
Treating sepsis complications
If someone with sepsis has trouble getting enough oxygen to all of their organs, doctors may give them:
- IV fluids.
- Medicine to increase their blood pressure.
- An oxygen mask.
If advanced sepsis caused kidney damage, you may need dialysis to help do the kidneys' job.
Some people may also need a breathing tube or surgery to remove infected or damaged tissue.
Recovering from sepsis
It will take time to get better after sepsis.
Ways that can help you heal physically and emotionally are to:
- Get rest.
- Talk about how you feel with loved ones or a therapist.
- Write in a journal about how you feel, what you think about, or what you can start doing again.
- Learn about what happened and how you can prevent it in the future.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Slowly add more physical activity to your schedule, without building up too quickly.
- Write down questions that you need to ask your doctor when you see them next.
- Ask your family to tell you about what you can't remember.