#blood #poisoning #suspected #minute #counts
As head of the emergency center at the Agaplesion Bethesda Hospital in Wuppertal, I face the challenging task of treating life-threatening illnesses and saving people every day. Recently, I remember one case in particular.
We received an emergency call from a family whose mother was not feeling well. When we arrived at the scene with the ambulance, we found a woman with a fever and confusion. We initially suspected the 76-year-old had pneumonia, but the diagnosis was: pneumonia as the cause of sepsis, also known colloquially as blood poisoning.
Sepsis is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition. It occurs when an infection in the body is not properly controlled and spreads to the blood. When it comes to blood poisoning, many people immediately think of the famous “red line” on the arm or leg, which supposedly can lead to death as soon as it reaches the heart. However, this is a common misunderstanding. Most of those affected do not show this symptom at all. Overall, the symptoms can be very diverse: from fever and chills to difficulty breathing and confusion. Often the signs are not clear and can easily be confused with other diseases.
In this case, the patient also exhibited patchy skin discoloration on her arms and legs, which is an alarming sign of sepsis. Through precise examinations and differentiated diagnostics, we were able to detect the blood poisoning quickly and in good time.
If sepsis is suspected, every minute counts. Early treatment can mean the difference between life and death. We immediately carried out a comprehensive examination, took blood samples and started life-saving therapy. The patient was taken to the intensive care unit. Here we gave her high doses of antibiotics to fight the infection. We support your organs with targeted measures to stabilize the body. It was a race against time to contain the spread of the infection and save the patient’s life. However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our multidisciplinary team, the patient was able to successfully overcome the sepsis and recover.
Sepsis can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or health status. However, older people, chronically ill people and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. The main causes of blood poisoning are diseases such as inflammation of the lungs, peritoneum or urinary tract. But even seemingly harmless everyday injuries such as a scratch, a scratched mosquito bite or a scraped knee can be enough to cause blood poisoning.
Good hygiene and quick action at the first signs of sepsis can help reduce the risk. The risk groups mentioned should be vaccinated against flu, pneumococci and corona. This can prevent or weaken many infections that can lead to blood poisoning.
My experience in emergency medicine has shown me that quick action and early diagnosis are crucial. If sepsis is suspected, you should seek medical help immediately. The earlier treatment begins, the better the chances of recovery.
Dr. Gunnar Kalund is head of the emergency center at Bethesda Hospital and chief emergency physician for the city of Wuppertal
