Treatment
Intravenous antibiotics constitute the mainstay in the treatment of sepsis.
Patients with sepsis are serious cases and undergo treatment in a hospital or an intensive care unit (ICU). Treatment includes:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics should be administered into the vein soon after obtaining blood and tissue samples for culture. Initially, an antibiotic that is effective against a wide range of microorganisms is used. Once the culture report is obtained, the antibiotic may be changed to one which the microorganism is sensitive to.
- Surgical removal or drainage of infected tissue: Any abscess which may be the source of infection should be drained and any infected tissue should be removed surgically.
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- Intravenous (IV) fluids: Intravenous fluids are used to maintain the blood pressure. Some patients may need the addition of drugs like dopamine to raise the blood pressure.
- Ventilator Support: A decrease in respiratory function may necessitate the use of oxygen or ventilator support.
- Other factors such as nutrition and glucose levels should be maintained.
A number of patients with septic shock do not survive despite treatment.
