One of the causes being the aging of population, Americans now are living longer giving the age group for people older than 65 a high risk of getting sick. (Sepsis) Drug-resistant bacteria are another cause for sepsis as multiple types of bacteria can now resist the effects of antibiotics that used to kill them in the process. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria are the main trigger for sepsis, causing infections in the human body. Another factor is having a weakened immune system. Most Americans now are living with weakened immune systems that were caused by diseases like HIV, cancer treatments or transplant drugs. (Chen) With these factors, sepsis is now very common and dangerous with risk factors. Young kids and or elderly adults are more at risk to sepsis due to more exposure to diseases. With a weak immune system, gives the human body a higher chance to get sepsis. (Durani) Sickness is also a risk factor, especially when a patient is in a hospital's intensive care unit. Wounds or injuries, including burns will give exposure to sepsis. (Sepsis) Based on a few simple measurements, sepsis can be diagnosed by your body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate and or a simple blood test. (Sepsis – Diagnosis) That is pretty much the only way is person can be diagnosed. Sepsis occurs occasionally after a sickness or injury. Serious comorbid conditions that alter the immune function (chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, HIV, alcohol …show more content…
One treatment they use on patients is quantitative resuscitation or also known as, “early goal-directed therapy” (EGDT), which was introduced in 2001 by a landmark study, by Rivers, which sparked international recognition. (Christaki) With this procedure, the mortality rates of hospital patients with severe sepsis or sepsis shock reduced by 16%. (Christaki) The cause of the decline may have been from early age therapy and time managed antibiotics, and mechanical ventilation. If sepsis is detected early enough, it can be treated with antibiotics and make a full recovery. (Sepsis – Treatment) That is why it is crucial that patients treat their sickness as soon as possible because it could cause even severe sickness or even worse, cause death. Antibiotics are the main treatment for treating sepsis but there are other alternatives to help fight sepsis. Other treatments include blood transfusion, corticosteroids, intravenous fluids, and oxygen. (Sepsis – Treatment) Severe sepsis and sepsis shock can be treated but sadly the odds of a person surviving are slim. Mortality rates for these two types are 4 out of 10 for severe sepsis and 6 out of 10 for sepsis