| Boomer |
03-08-2021 09:36 AM |
My post here has nothing to do with Covid but everything to do with sepsis.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyDebbie
(Post 1912436)
Prior to my retirement almost a year ago, my position was Sepsis Coordinator at the hospital where I worked. I am very familiar with sepsis. Sepsis in itself is basically a bad infection——any kind of infection can lead to sepsis, even something as “simple” as a tooth abscess. So pay attention to any possible infection you may have. Sepsis can affect people of all ages, but is most concerning for people with multiple co-morbidities, the elderly, immunocompromised patients, drug and alcohol addicts, and those who are malnourished (including the homeless), to name a few.
When diagnosed early, sepsis is very treatable with fluids and appropriate antibiotics. The problem comes about as sepsis progresses along a continuum into severe sepsis and septic shock. The mortality rate increases as sepsis progresses. The difficulty that often occurs comes from the fact that sepsis can progress very rapidly and in its early stages may not always be identified as sepsis. Many times, by the time a sepsis patient arrives to an emergency room, sepsis has already passed the earlier stages, unidentified, and is progressing down the more dangerous path.
It is important to identify and treat sepsis in its earliest stages. The worse it becomes, more and more vital organs begin to shut down. Pay attention to early symptoms such as fever, elevated heart rate, faster breathing than normal —- all of these can be symptoms of any kind of infection, whether it is bacterial or viral (as in the case of Covid or flu). There are certain lab tests that can also help in the diagnosis of sepsis (such as elevated lactic acid, elevated creatinine and others). Obtaining appropriate lab work is but another reason for the importance of being seen by a healthcare provider early on when sepsis is suspected. It is much better to suspect sepsis and investigate early than to ignore or disregard even mild symptoms. Sepsis can be treated if diagnosed early and it’s progression stopped. Suspect sepsis, save lives!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gulfcoast
(Post 1912468)
The actress Tanya Roberts, age 65, (Charlie's Angels, That 70's Show) died from complications resulting from an untreated urinary tract infection. She had just walked her dog when she came home and collapsed. From what I've heard, infections can go from bad to worse in a hurry if you don't seek treatment early enough. She didn't have Covid as far as I know but I have heard of others who have had the combo of advanced urinary tract infection + Covid not end well.
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Thank you to both of you for sharing factual information that could save a life. This thread could turn out to be of real importance.
Long before Covid. . .
For those who have older family members and friends in their lives, it is crucial to be aware of the fact that a urinary tract infection in an older person can present as a quick onset of dementia.
As a hovering daughter, I caught this symptom immediately. I remember saying to my dad’s doctor, “Are we ever going to get Dad’s sharp brain back?”
His doctor told me, “Just wait.” (He knew it was a UTI, did a direct admit to the hospital, and hooked him up to IV antibiotics — fast.)
It was like a miracle. Dad quickly came around to his old witty self and even remembered the things he had said as the infection began to take hold of his system.
I do not normally share much personal information on TOTV, but this is important enough for me to go ahead and talk about because Dad could have died from a damned UTI. (I think he would want me to let others know to be aware.)
I have since known of this to happen with others. The first thing I always say when hearing about sudden dementia symptoms is, “Please get medical attention immediately. It could be a UTI.”
Boomer |
