Every year, more than 1.7 million Americans develop sepsis, a life-threatening medical
condition that arises when the body initiates a powerful immune response against an infection.
Anyone can get sepsis.
But two-thirds of all sepsis cases occur in people over 60.
Sepsis kills more people in the United States than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and AIDS
combined.
Older adults, especially those with chronic health conditions, like heart disease and
various types of cancer, are more likely to succumb to sepsis.
However, early recognition of sepsis symptoms can save lives and reduce the risk of long-term
effects.
Sepsis is caused by bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal microbial infections that trigger
overwhelming inflammation and blood thickening.
Normally, the body's immune system targets invading microbes with a tempered response.
However, in sepsis the body overreacts, triggering a cascade of chemical messengers that cause
inflammation within blood vessel linings.
When this happens, small blood clots form--first at the site of infection and then throughout
the body.
Widespread inflammation and blood clotting impede oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues
and organs, resulting in organ dysfunction.
An infection may begin in an organ like the lungs or kidney, or be introduced through
an open sore, surgical incision, or invasive medical device like a urinary catheter or
feeding tube.
Common symptoms of sepsis include fever, rapid heart rate, and rapid breathing.
The organ affected by the infection often dictates the other signs and symptoms of sepsis.
For example, if the lung is the primary site of infection, as in pneumonia, the person
may experience fever, coupled with shortness of breath, painful coughing, and discolored
mucous.
Not all infections develop into sepsis, however, progression from a localized infection to
full-blown sepsis can occur within hours.
Therefore, it is important to swiftly recognize the signs and symptoms of an infection that's
out of control.
When an older person becomes septic fever may be absent.
In fact, the opposite can occur with the development of a cold, clammy skin temperature--known
as hypothermia.
Older patients are also more likely to exhibit sudden mental confusion or delirium as a major
part of their presenting signs, along with fatigue, malaise, weakness, sudden shortness
of breath, poor appetite, chills, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
When these symptoms occur, coupled with an infection, it is time to seek immediate medical
attention.
Older adults may be resistant to urgent medical care, but timely medical treatment is imperative
to increase survival, since for every hour delay in appropriate treatment, the risk of
death increases by up to 8 percent.
Sepsis becomes more dangerous with age, and treatment is more likely to involve hospitalization,
and admission to the intensive care unit or ICU. 70 percent of sepsis hospitalizations
are in adults 60 years and older.
Older adults admitted to the ICU for sepsis are also generally sicker, require longer
lengths of stay, and may experience significant long-term cognitive impairment and physical
limitations.
Among older adults who do survive sepsis, 76 percent are more likely to be discharged
to a skilled nursing facility, unable to return home.
To limit sepsis-causing infections--seniors, their loved ones, and caregivers should receive
flu and pneumonia vaccinations, and practice good hand-washing and good personal hygiene.
Wound dressing and nursing care, should use sterile techniques whenever feasible.
Sepsis is common, deadly, and costly.
It affects older Americans in disproportionate numbers.
Weakened immunity, recent surgery, skin ulcerations, and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer,
autoimmune disorders, or malnutrition make seniors more vulnerable to sepsis.
To help reduce sepsis deaths in seniors, practice preventative strategies that reduce the spread
of germs, know the signs of sepsis, and seek early treatment.
Together, we can save lives.