Sepsis

Flu complication: Sepsis

Why it occurs (1)(2)

Sepsis is a rare but serious complication of an infection, such as the flu.

If your immune system is weak or the infection is severe, the biological processes that help your body fight infection can spread through your blood to other parts of your body.

This causes your immune system to go into overdrive and inflammation to affect your entire body.

Treatment (2)

Treatment for sepsis depends on the initial infection, the organs affected and the extent of any damage.

If you have possible early signs of sepsis, you'll usually be referred to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment, which may involve antibiotics, intravenous fluids and oxygen.

If the sepsis is severe, you may be admitted to an intensive care unit.

If identified and treated quickly, sepsis, in most cases, leads to full recovery with no lasting problems.

Impact if untreated (2)

Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Around 40% of people with severe sepsis die.

If the widespread inflammation damages tissue and interferes with blood flow, it can lead to life-threatening septic shock.

Depending on a number of factors including overall health, some people experience long-term physical or psychological problems while others recover fully fairly quickly.


Sources
(1) https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/complications.htm
(2) http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Blood-poisoning/Pages/Introduction.aspx