The Elderly May Be More Susceptible ToSepsis

February 8th, 2012

It is not uncommon for family members to be confused when a loved one passes away and the death certificate shows sepsis as the cause of death. It turns out that sepsis is very common especially in those who are older. It is really one of the major reason patients die in hospitals. More than one hundred thousand men and women die due to sepsis in the US every year.

The elderly are at high risk of contracting sepsis. Why? Because sepsis starts off as an infection and infections are common among elderly patients in hospitals/nursing homes/rehabilitation facilities. Some of the types of infections most frequently seen among the elderly are open wounds and bed sores.

The most effective way available for helping people survive sepsis is to treat the infection right away. If the infection remains untreated for a period of time sepsis can worsen and as it does the patient’s chances of surviving are significantly reduced. When the patient goes through septic shock his or her chance of survival drops to around 50%.

Others who are also at risk of infections are cancer patients, for example, patients with colon cancer. Cancer patients frequently need chemotherapy which can compromise the individual’s immune system. For patients in this situation, infections can be a serious issue and can turn septic. Moreover, chemotherapy is in many cases administered via a port that can itself get infected. This same issue arises with patients going through dialysis.

People need to be aware of the risks from infections and to speak with their doctor if they notice symptoms or have any worries.

The information discussed here is intended for basic educational uses only. It is not meant as, nor should it be taken to be, medical or legal advice. For any health or medical concerns consult a doctor without delay. And if you think you might have a medical malpractice case speak to an attorney. An attorney can determine if you have a valid claim. Consult the lawyer right away because the law limits the amount of time within which you can pursue a case.